Brooklyn | |
---|---|
Basic information | |
Local authority | Wellington City |
Date established | 1888 |
Coordinates | 41°18′22″S 174°45′47″E / 41.30611°S 174.76306°ECoordinates: 41°18′22″S 174°45′47″E / 41.30611°S 174.76306°E |
Population | 4,074 (2013 ) |
Postcode(s) | 6021 |
Surrounds | |
North | Aro Valley |
Northeast | Mount Cook |
East | Vogeltown |
Southeast | Mornington, Kingston |
Southwest | Owhiro Bay |
West | Karori |
Brooklyn is a suburb of Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand.
Brooklyn is 3 km south of Wellington’s central business district on the eastern slopes of the hills above Happy Valley.
Nearby suburbs and areas include:
Central Park (named after the area of the same name in New York) separates Brooklyn from the city. Established in 1913 on Town Belt land, the park features a set of wrought-iron gates at its main entrance: the then Mayor, John Pearce Luke donated them in 1920.
During World War II, American forces established a military camp in the park between 1942 and 1944. In October 1942 building work started with an initial requirement to accommodate 416 men of the US Marine Corps. The partly built camp could accept some occupants by 22 November 1942, and by July 1943 it could accommodate 540 personnel.
The US Marines requested a further expansion of the camp, but the improving military situation precluded the expansion.
Tanera Park lies to the north and north-west of Central Park on the opposite side of Ohiro Road. The park has sports facilities, including soccer, cricket, and artificial surfaces as well as changing-rooms.
In 1991 the Wellington City Council set aside some of the park as trial to help low-income families and community-organisations to grow their own vegetables. The gardens, currently[update] including 33 plots, have become known as the Tanera Community Gardens; the Mokai Kainga Trust manages them.
Elliott Park lies on the western side of Brooklyn, adjacent to Mitchell Street and Karepa Street. The park used to have a children's play-ground, however the play-ground has been removed by the Wellington City Council and not replaced. The park was donated by Mr Elliott who used to have his farm in this place. There are still also wild Pigs and goats that live on the bottom of the hills.
The first plan of Wellington, drawn in 1840 by the New Zealand Company, set aside large areas of open land for public use as the Town Belt. In 1873 the Town Belt was granted to the city of Wellington as public recreation grounds for Wellington residents; it then consisted of 1,061 acres (4.29 km2). The Wellington City Council continues to hold and manage the amenity.