This reserve is a hive of activity every Easter as Mapua holds its annual fair to raise money for the local school and playcentre. During the rest of the year it is used for various sports. Many community facilities have appeared on the surrounding council land . . . The Bowling Club, Playcentre, Scout Hall. . . . It's all quite different from the sixties when the Mapua Amateur Athletic Club was in its heyday. The reserve was less than half its current size with the boundary running from the poplar trees to the oak trees. There was barely room for a 440 yard track (as it was in those days) - - and then when someone decided to start planting oak trees things really got tricky. Every Monday night during summer a group of athletes would run, jump, throw - - - Everyone having a go at everything - - as well as their own specialist event.
Take a seat. You'll be well placed to watch the start of the distance events.