Chelsea Sugar Refinery Park

Thirty Seven Acres of prime suburban land has forever been enshrined in Trust thanks to the a series of fortuitous interactions between the Chelsea Sugar Company and the community. When the Chelsea Sugar Refinery (still in operation) was constructed in the 1880s, Highbury was a far flung neighbour to Auckland over the water. The Refinery site had been chosen for its deep water access and plentiful fresh water supply. It was isolated in the early days, and had to create its own self sufficient little township to provide for the 150 men camped there on the building project. The company went so far as to build double brick Victorian homes for the executives on left over land, and provide ongoing factory jobs for 100 men when the buildings were finished in 1882. The village grew, at one stage nearly 300 lived there. The situation remained so until 2008 when the entire park including the lakes, regenerating forest, wetlands and open spaces were sold to the Heritage Park Trust, securing the future of the green space. Fortunate indeed for dwellers of the increasingly crowded North Shore. There are mature trees, fish-filled lakes and pleasant walks to be had through regenerating kanuka groves. Tracks connect with Kauri Point Park and Chatswood Reserve.