Alexandra Park, Auckland facts for kids
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| Location | Epsom, Auckland |
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| Owned by | Auckland Trotting Club |
| Date opened | 1890 |
| Race type | Harness racing |
| Course type | Limestone/crusher dust, right-handed (clockwise); circumference 1010 metres |
| Notable races | Auckland Trotting Cup |
Alexandra Park is a famous racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand. It's located in the suburb of Epsom. This park is the main home for the Auckland Trotting Club, which organizes exciting harness racing events.
The park has a special track for trotting races, a big conference center, and a modern living area. Alexandra Park hosts many important harness races every year, like the Auckland Trotting Cup and the Rowe Cup. It's also where you can find the New Zealand Trotting Hall of Fame and a museum.
History of Alexandra Park
Alexandra Park is named after Queen Alexandra. People believe this area was where Auckland's first organized horse races happened way back in 1842. At that time, it was part of a large farm owned by William Potter and was known as Potter's Paddock.
In 1887, a tramways company bought the land for their horses. However, they agreed that the park could still be used for sports like football, rugby, and cricket. The Auckland Trotting Club started holding regular race meetings here in 1890.
Ten years later, in 1900, the park was officially named Alexandra Park. This happened when Queen Alexandra's eldest son, the Duke of Cornwall, visited. The parkland around it was named Cornwall Park. Around this time, the first main building for spectators was built.
The Auckland Trotting Club bought the property in 1912. Since then, they have continuously updated the facilities. They also made space for other events and activities. A popular tradition in Auckland since 1958 has been the "Friday Night Trots." These are harness races held under bright lights.
Over the years, Alexandra Park has grown to host many different activities. For example, in 2015, a training center was built for the Auckland Blues, a Super 15 rugby team.
The park also has other businesses. These include a Chinese restaurant, a day-care center, and a gas station. The Alex Eatery, a restaurant on the course, is owned by the club. The park's betting agency, called the TAB, is one of the busiest in the country.
The conference center at Alexandra Park has also been improved. It now hosts many events for businesses, schools, and other groups. The park also promotes special race nights and hospitality events. These events aim to attract more visitors.
New Homes at Alexandra Park
In 2014, the club decided to build a new living area on part of the park's car park. This project created a modern "urban village." It includes apartment buildings with shops, cafes, and restaurants on the ground floor. There are also public spaces and walkways.
The plan was to create a lively community where people could live, shop, and relax. Construction began, and the first residents were expected to move in around late 2017. This project was one of the largest new developments in Auckland.
However, building such a big project had its challenges. There were some delays and changes with the construction companies. This meant that the buildings took longer to finish than first planned. By April 2020, the apartment blocks were still being completed. Despite these challenges, the urban village has added a new dimension to Alexandra Park.
See also
- Harness racing in New Zealand
- Addington Raceway
- Forbury Park
- Ellerslie Racecourse
