Long Bay, Auckland
Todd Property Ltd.
2014

Sentinel Park
Bespoke were engaged by Todd Property to undertake developed design and facilitate the construction documentation for Sentinel Park at the Long Bay Development, Auckland.  Master planned by Surface Design inc, Sentinel Park is a community recreation park situated at the centre of the development. It sits on the high point at the intersection of two main roads (Beach Road and Cavalli Road), directly opposite the proposed “marker building” location. As a result the space will take on an important civic role, particularly until such time as the Village Centre is established, acting as an interim gathering point as a focus for the new community. The design of the park seeks to emphasise the very prominent location and accentuate the commanding wide urban and sea views, connecting people with the wider regional landscape, and by doing so reinforcing their sense of place. A strong sculptural element within the park features a large grass battered earth form that appears to rise out of the pavement. This earth form provides a flat top promenade that can be walked around and offers gently sloping banks, perhaps for relaxation or play. At the centre of the ‘crater’ there is a smaller mound that sits directly on the axis between Rangitoto and the Hauraki Gulf. The strong elliptical shape of the earth form is mimicked in the tree pits planted with Pohutukawa. These provide a good shade aspect, strong native links, and vibrant ephemeral colour. To address the ‘marker building’ and ensure the park provides strong connections with Beach Road, a particularly steep bank has been transformed into a series of terraces. These terraces soften the grade and provide opportunities for the incorporation of informal seating.

Sentinel park is currently in the detailed design stage and is due for completion in 2015.