NZ visual diary - entry 42

Myers Park Kindergarten building

Running parallel to Queen Street not far from the K Road intersection is a lovely six acre park called Myers Park. Named after its benefactor Sir Arthur Mielziner Myers, who served as Auckland's mayor from 1905-1909, the park sports a lovely playground and an impressive canopy of exotic trees.

It is also home to the Myers Park Kindergarten building.

Sir Arthur's gift was inspired by the Reform Park Movement, an urban improvement project begun in the United States in the early 20th Century. One resource on the history of Myers Park and its kindergarten notes:

'The park that Myers planned was to be of a different character. It was to be
a ‘reform park’ created specifically as a safe place for urban children to
relax and play within a natural setting. Myers found his inspiration in the
work of the American Reform and Playground movements. Furthermore,
he supported the call for cities to develop children’s play policies to protect
children’s interests, in particular that of urban children living in poverty in
overcrowded areas and in need of public spaces in which to play.'

The kindergarten building currently serves as an early childhood care and education centre.