Francis St Reserve, Grey Lynn

Francis Street Reserve is a local park located in the Grey Lynn suburb of Auckland, New Zealand. Situated at 4 Warnock Street, Grey Lynn

Edgars Creek, a stream that runs through Grey Lynn, is  at the bottom of Francis Street Reserve. Auckland Council Healthy Waters has undertaken significant stormwater improvements to Edgars Creek, with major occurring at the bottom of Francis Reserve.  A restriction plate has also been installed in the Francis Reserve pipe to manage water flow.

This inner city park is ideal for children to play, kick a ball around, for picnics under the trees or to give the dogs a run off leash.The newly upgraded playground has a play space with slides and climbing walls, swings, and a whale rocker.

There’s a drinking fountain for fresh drinking water and to give some water to the dog. Francis Reserve is an Auckland Council recommended dog exercise area with specific on-leash and off-leash rules depending on the area and time of year.

Plenty of car parking at the park or if you are heading up to West Lynn shops or the Grey Lynn RSC.  It’s a secret local parking area that visitors to the area don’t tend to find.

The Grey Lynn Car Boot Market happens on the other side of the park at the Grey Lynn RSC – ast Sunday of the month. People park here when attending the market.

Community Activities

• Little Community Book Library: Encourages reading and sharing within the community.
• Ecological Restoration: Over the years Grey Lynn 2030 has organised Winter Planting and working bees at the reserve to enhance the biodiversity of the area. We work at Edgars Stream which runs through the bottom of the reserve. These events provide opportunities for neighbours to connect and contribute to ecological restoration of the area. The area at the bottom of the hill is full of invasive plants. In May 2025 a community group attempted some weeding – there is lots to be done. Little and often is what is going to be needed to get this area free of pest plants. Please contact Urban Ark if you want to do some weeding or pest control in this park.
• There are some Auckland Council community leases for the buildings located on the drive as you enter  4 Warnock Street Francis Reserve. The Auckland Women’s Centre, Auckland Women’s Refuge, Asylum Seekers Support Trust, Doctors for Sexual Abuse Care, and the Inner-City Women’s Group.  

History

The reserve is named after Francis Jones, an early landowner who subdivided his property in 1885, which included part of Francis Street. By 1890, five houses had been built on the street.