Rewi Alley Reserve

Rewi Alley Reserve in Totara Vale on Auckland's North Shore has a playground suited to children aged three to seven, with climbing equipment, a slide and swings including an infant swing and a tyre swing shaded by sail cloth.

Equipment

Climbing equipment, a slide, and swings including an infant swing and a tyre swing sit under shade sails. A five station fitness trail runs through the reserve for adults and older children, and a single hoop basketball court and open grass add further recreation space.

History and Cultural

The reserve is named for Rewi Alley, a Canterbury born New Zealander who spent sixty years in China organising industrial cooperatives and founding technical schools, including one at Shandan in the Gobi Desert. After his death in 1987 the reserve was named in his honour, and in 2006 six Chinese visitors, including two of his former secretaries, unveiled a bronze bust and planted a gingko tree here. The park was laid out with a Chinese stroll garden theme of winding paths, giving it a quiet memorial character.

Practical Info

Public toilets are on site, and Totara Vale is reachable by car from Glenfield Road with bus connections to Glenfield and Northcote.