Albert Park is the favoured park for Uni and Tech students to hang out in. Not because of its rich history, great design or captivating structures,É but because it's right across the road from the city campus! Many a hard choice has been made deliberating between enduring yet another tedious lecture or enjoying a bit of carefree time basking in the sun of Albert Park. On a sunny summers day don't be surprised to find masses of bodies strewn across the park, playing hacky, throwing a frisbee, doing a bit of reading or the age old favourite.....having a wee afternoon kip. The Park and its surrounds has a fascinating history. A Maori village (papakainga) flourished here until 1840. The site then became a British defense post, and a part of the defensive stone wall built in the 1860's can still be seen next to the Auckland University Library. Soon after that a section of the area was designated for a public reserveÉAlbert Park. The Park has some great big ol trees and some have been around for more than a century. Big majestic oaks, fine Moreton Bay figs and a whole bunch of Mexican Washingtonia palms. There's also a cool Ombu tree (a native of Argenitina) with massive surface roots and twisting branches,Éyou can even climb inside it! Albert Park is also full of man-made curiosities and at its center is an elaborate Victorian fountain. There are also a couple of large muzzle loading canons, a number of statues, a floral clock, gazebo, flag poles and something that looks like half a UFO has crashed into the ground. The park is full of strange and interesting stuff and is worth having a bit of a wonder and an exploration. If that sounds like too much effort, then you could join the intellectual elite and chill out. | | | |