Auckland Transport's Ryan Clarke, and resident, Jenna Toeono (middle), at the upgraded alleyway. Photo: LDR/supplied
South Auckland residents, plagued with decades of anti-social behaviour at a "dark, dingy" alleyway, feel safer after recent upgrades.
The narrow alleyway, which runs between McKinstry Avenue and Cottingham Crescent in Māngere East, was a connecting space for many residents, the elderly and students from three nearby schools who used it as a short cut.
However, for many years, people had been scared to use it.
Residents complained of late-night noise, vandalism, violence, smashed beer bottles and used condoms, and in the past, it has been a hotspot for gang violence.
Long-time resident Jenna Toeono tried for years to get Auckland Transport and Auckland Council to make it safer for her community.
At one point, she gave up, and asked for it to be closed off.
"There just wasn't any appetite for any attention to it," Toeono said.
"So I thought, 'if no one wants to do anything about this, how about we just close it down'."
The alleyway finally got an upgrade last December, after decades of complaints from residents. Photo: LDR/supplied
Her family had lived on McKinstry Avenue for more than five decades.
Her parents first complained to the then-Manukau City Council more than 20 years ago and got no results.
She continued their fight when she had children of her own, fearing for their safety.
"When my son was one or two years old, he's now in high school, someone threw a beer bottle over the fence and nearly hit him.
"Another time, he found an empty bong and picked it up, not knowing what it was."
Authorities finally put up street lights, after she spoke to Stuff 12 years ago.
"It made a noticeable difference, there were no dodgy things going on in a dark, dingy alleyway. It was definitely a big help.
"I reached out to my local board, [and Auckland Transport] after that, just to help out with some funding with that space, only to be told that there wasn't really anything they could do."
The old alleyway was dark and dodgy, and residents felt unsafe using it. Photo: LDR/supplied
AT's senior project manger Ryan Clarke stumbled on the residents' plight through Stuff's 2013 article.
He was undergoing a leadership programme and together with his group, pitched the project to upgrade the alleyway.
When he returned to AT, he explored possible funding and secured $80,000 for the project, under their responsibility to keep footpaths safe.
The upgrade was completed in December, with a new fence, artwork from local street artist Eva Fuemana and engagement workshops with the local school.
"It brightens up the space, makes it a lot safer, and that was intention behind the project," Clarke said.
"It's better maintained now."
Toeono said it wasn't an easy feat trying to get something done, but was happy they had a much safer space for the community to use.
"Of course you get the one or two that ruin it for the rest of us, but the issues have been alleviated."
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
