Cornwall Park is a landscaped park designed for the recreation and enjoyment of the people of Auckland and New Zealand. The park is renowned for its landscape design and wide variety of mature trees. It is centred on a volcanic cone, One Tree Hill, which lies in the adjacent One Tree Hill Domain. A pre-European Māori fortification (pa) was built on the cone, many features of which can still be seen.
The purpose of the Cornwall Park precinct is to provide for the on-going operation and development of the Park while protecting significant vegetation, built heritage and known archaeological and geological features located within the Park’s boundaries.
The predominant activity is a farm-park used for passive recreation together with associated ancillary activities and landscape amenities. Additional activities include active recreation, entertainment and events, food and beverage, visitor information, education and retail, exhibitions and park operations.
Cornwall Park's donor, Sir John Logan Campbell, is buried on the summit of One Tree Hill alongside the obelisk. The Māori name for the hill is Maungakiekie – mountain (maunga) of the kiekie. Kiekie (Freycinettia banksii) grows as an epiphytic climber or vine. While the two parks are run under different management regimes (Cornwall Park is administered by the Cornwall Park Trust Board, while One Tree Hill Domain is administered by the council), they have very similar objectives and are viewed by the public as effectively one park.
The precinct identifies sub-precinct areas and special attributes of Cornwall Park to guide the development of amenities and infrastructure within Cornwall Park for the next 10-15 years. The Cornwall Park precinct contains the following sub-precincts illustrated on the planning maps. Refer to the planning maps for the boundaries of the sub-precincts and map 3 in
clause 5 of the Cornwall Park precinct rules for the precinct plan outlining its land use areas.
Sub-precinct A: Parkland conservation
This sub-precinct includes Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill and includes the central crater and two “horseshoe” craters to the south and west. It is an area of high conservation and cultural value identified for protection.
Sub-precinct B: Parkland informal recreation
This sub-precinct includes the majority of the open parkland used for passive recreation, events and farm activity. The park is a significant farm operation and is predominantly grazed with stock.
Sub-precinct C: Parkland development
This sub-precinct is identified for the development of additional amenity features and infrastructure, including café and food and beverage activities, children’s play facilities and infrastructure required to hold events. This area is specifically excluded from the historic heritage overlay.
Sub-precinct D: Parkland sport and active recreation
This sub-precinct is comprised of parts of the park used for sport and active recreation with associated fields and facilities including tennis, bowling, rugby, rugby league and cricket.
Sub-precinct E: Parkland visitor/information
This sub-precinct is comprised of the park’s visitor and information centre and restaurant/kiosk.
Sub-precinct F: Parkland farm activities
This sub-precinct is comprised of farm implement and shearing sheds.
Sub-precinct G: Parkland administration and operations
This sub-precinct is comprised of the park administration and operations buildings, including park depot and storage facilities.