Mark your calendars: Tuesday, June 10th from 3-5pm! Auckland Council is officially opening Ōpaheke Park in Papakura – and this isn’t just any ordinary park. This clever 40-hectare space is designed to be your family’s new favourite weekend spot AND secretly protect local homes from flooding at the same time.

Why Papakura Needed This Special Park

Auckland’s weather is getting wilder. We’re seeing heavier downpours more often, and areas like Papakura – which sits low and has Slippery Creek running through it – are particularly at risk of flooding.

With new whare being built in the Bellfield area just north of the creek, the developer needed to find a smart way to handle all that extra stormwater. Affecting the upstream or downstream environments was not allowable; therefore, they came up with a brilliant solution: let the park itself act like a giant sponge.

How Does a “Sponge Park” Actually Work?

Think of Ōpaheke Park like a huge bathtub with a slow drain. When heavy rain hits, the specially shaped areas of the park fill up with water (kind of like how your lawn might get soggy after a big storm). But instead of that water rushing straight into Slippery Creek and potentially flooding homes, it sits in the park and slowly drains away over several hours.

The park has been carefully designed with:

• Wide, shallow basins that look like natural valleys but are actually engineered to catch overflow water
• Special gates and barriers that control how fast water can leave the park
• Gently sloped areas that can temporarily hold water without looking ugly or dangerous

The best part? On normal sunny days, you won’t even notice these flood-control features – they just look like natural hills and valleys.

What You’ll Love About the Park

The designers didn’t just focus on flood protection – they created an amazing space for families:

For the active crowd:

• 2km of walking and running tracks
• A BMX pump track for kids (and kids at heart!)
• Wide open spaces perfect for touch rugby, frisbee, or kicking a ball around

For nature lovers:

• Over 50,000 new trees and plants that will attract birds and help clean the air
• Wetland areas where you can spot native wildlife
• Boardwalks for peaceful strolls
• Specially designed lookout spots for the best views

For tamariki and whānau:

• Nature play areas where kids can explore safely
• Picnic lawns with plenty of space for birthday parties and barbecues
• A dedicated dog exercise area

A Smart Solution for Climate Change

What makes this park special is how it tackles climate change in a practical way. Instead of just talking about the problem, Papakura now has a real solution that works with the whenua (land) rather than against it:

• Protects homes from flooding today and well into the future
• Creates habitat for native manu (birds) and other wildlife
• Provides a beautiful space for the community to enjoy
• Uses the land’s natural ability to absorb and drain water rather than fighting against it

The park was designed with future weather patterns in mind, so it’ll keep protecting local whānau even as Auckland’s weather gets more unpredictable.

Opening Day Celebration – Tuesday, June 10th, 3-5pm

Everyone’s invited to the official opening! Join us Tuesday, June 10th from 3-5pm – the main entry is off Ōpaheke Road. Parking at the Ōpaheke Sports Ground entrance.

If it’s raining: Don’t worry! The backup date is Tuesday, June 17th, same time (3-5pm). We’ll let everyone know if we need to postpone.

The day will include:

• Official ribbon cutting ceremony
• Ability for you to explore the Park at your leisure and ask questions about how it all works!
• Free sausage sizzle courtesy of Papakura Crime Patrol
• Activities for kids

Pro tip: Bring comfortable walking shoes, and maybe pack some gumboots just in case the park decides to show off its flood-catching abilities!

Why This Matters for Papakura

Ōpaheke Park represents something bigger than just a new place to walk the dog. It’s proof that we can tackle serious challenges like climate change and flooding while creating something beautiful that brings the community together.

Instead of expensive concrete solutions that only solve one problem, this park gives us flood protection, recreation space, wildlife habitat, and a stunning landscape all rolled into one. It’s the kind of forward-thinking project that makes you proud to live in South Auckland.

So, mark Tuesday, June 10th (3-5pm) in your diary, bring the whānau, and come check out Papakura’s newest treasure. Whether you’re there for the opening day festivities or just planning your first family picnic, Ōpaheke Park is ready to become your new favourite local spot.

See you there!