Phyllis Reserve is situated at the end of Springleigh Road, a wee street tucked behind the Unitec campus in Mt Albert. This reserve serves a number of functions so is quite well known by Auckland locals. Phyllis Reserve is home to the Akarana Dog Training Club, a soccer club and fields and also a great walkway. It’s the walkway in particular that I love about Phyllis Reserve. The path leads you down behind the soccer fields and takes you along the edge of a little stream that runs the length of the Unitec campus. It’s a great place to take your dog for a walk, go for a run or powerwalk and gossip with friends on a Saturday morning. I actually used to go running there in the evenings by myself quite a lot until I was warned against it. Due to its location — being tucked out of sight and away from houses and passersby, it can be quite dangerous in Phyllis Reserve(and particularly on the walkway) if you are by yourself. So while I definitely recommend it as a place to enjoy some exercise, make sure you don’t go alone or if you do that you go during the day time. Tip: The walkway takes you past a little waterfall that I think is pretty beautiful. There is even a clearing in front of it with a park bench all set up — this would be a great picnic spot on a sunny day!
