Shepherds Park

{{Infobox park

| name = Shepherds Park

| image = Shepherd's Park playground, Beach Haven, 2015.jpg

| image_size =

| image_alt = Shepherds Park playground as it was in 2015

| image_caption = Shepherds Park playground

| type = Urban park

| location = 31-35 Cresta Avenue, Beach Haven, Auckland

| coordinates = {{Coord|36|47|16.1|S|174|41|19.3|E|region:NZ_type:landmark|display=it}}

| area =

| created = 1947

| operator = Auckland Council

| website = {{URL| 1=https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/parks-recreation/Pages/park-details.aspx?Location=423 | 2=Auckland Council}}

}}

Shepherds Park, is a reserve and sports ground in the suburb of Beach Haven in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the home ground of New Zealand National League and Northern League side Birkenhead United, Beach Haven Bowling Club, Beach Haven Tennis Club, Shepherds Park Squash Club.{{Cite web|title=Shepherds Park|url=https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/parks-recreation/Pages/park-details.aspx?Location=423|website=Auckland Council|language=en-NZ|access-date=29 August 2022}} It is also the home for Beach Haven Community House and Beach Haven Kauri Kids.

The park features areas of regenerating native bush. The [https://www.tiakitamakimakaurau.nz/get-involved/auckland-conservation-directory/ Friends of Shepherds Park] is a community group that have been coming together for over 30 years for native plant regeneration and maintenance in the park.

Shepherds Park also hosts cricket games during the summer and is used as one of Birkenhead City Cricket Club's grounds.{{Cite web|title=Shepherds Park|url=https://www.crichq.com/grounds/19643/pitches|website=criq HQ.com|language=en-NZ|access-date=29 August 2022}}

History

Māori archaeological middens have been found at Shepherds Park, along the shores of Oruamo or Hellyers Creek.{{cite book|title=Harbourside Explorer: A Guide to Exploring What's In and Around Birkenhead and Northcote |edition=2nd |date=2006 |author=Community Facilities Trust Birkenhead/Northcote |publisher=North Shore City |pages=4–5}}

Shepherd Parks was created from four farms and named after the Shepherd family who lived and farmed there for several generations. More about the history can be read in the booklet [https://kcft.org.nz/shepherds-park-2/ Shepherds Park: Roots to Skyline] which was published by Friends of Shepherds Park in 2024.

In September 2022, Birkenhead United started the upgrades of their club rooms worth around NZD$2.5 million.{{Cite web|title=Clubroom Upgrade|url=https://birkenheadunited.org.nz/clubroom-upgrade|website=Birkenhead United AFC|language=en-NZ|access-date=29 August 2022}}

Also in September 2022, Shepherds Park were shortlisted by FIFA to be a team base camp for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.{{Cite web|title=Team Base Camps added to list of FIFA Women's World Cup 'firsts'|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/womens/womensworldcup/australia-new-zealand2023/news/team-base-camps-added-to-list-of-fifa-womens-world-cup-tm-firsts|website=FIFA|language=en-NZ|access-date=15 December 2022}}{{Cite web|title=The grounds that will get upgrades as part of $19 million plan for Women's World Cup|url=https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2022/09/27/the-grounds-that-will-get-upgrades-as-part-of-19-million-plan-for-womens-world-cup/|website=friendsoffootballnz.com|language=en-NZ|access-date=15 December 2022}} On 12 December 2022, it was announced Shepherds Park would be used as the training ground by Italy during the world cup.{{Cite web|title=Team Base Camps confirmed for FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023|url=https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/articles/team-base-camps-confirmed-for-fifa-womens-world-cup-2023|website=FIFA|language=en-NZ|access-date=15 December 2022}}{{Cite web|title=Fifa Women's World Cup: Team base camps revealed for next year's tournament in New Zealand|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/fifa-womens-world-cup-team-base-camps-revealed-for-next-years-tournament-in-new-zealand/4CB25MBZ5RHRVEPYBADWMPHOL4/|website=New Zealand Herald|language=en-NZ|access-date=15 December 2022}}

References

Category:Association football venues in New Zealand

Category:Sports venues in Auckland

Category:Association football in Auckland

Category:Kaipātiki Local Board Area