Flaunty Reserve is a neighbourhood park on Oakpark Pl in West Harbour, Waitakere City, Auckland, rated 4.2 on Google.
A good suburban reserve is the quiet workhorse of a neighbourhood: mown grass for kickabouts, a bench in the shade, paths that link streets instead of dead-ending. The first thing Auckland regulars learn is the dog etiquette — council rules change from park to park, so it pays to read the sign at the gate, and the lead goes on near playgrounds and any sport under way. Timing matters too, since early morning or the last hour of daylight beats the midday sun, and heavy rain can leave the grass soft for a day or two. Part of the appeal of a small local park is what it lacks: no crowds, no hunt for parking, just green space a street or two from home.
For West Harbour locals, Flaunty Reserve is exactly that kind of handy, close-to-home green space.