Date established 1962 North Hillcrest & Silverdale | Population 2535 (2006 Census) Year established 1962 Electoral ward Hamilton East | |
 | ||
Riverlea is a suburb in south-eastern Hamilton in New Zealand. It is located south of Hillcrest. The suburb is primarily residential, with a small section of light industrial land along Riverlea Road.
Contents
Map of Riverlea, Hamilton 3216, New Zealand
History
It is named after Riverlea House, the homestead on the property of James McPherson which covered most of modern-day Riverlea and Hillcrest. Many of the street names were chosen by landowner Don McKenzie, which he named after aeroplanes he flew in the Second World War (Hudson Street, Lysander Place), his horses (McCracken Avenue, Silva Crescent, Sheriff Place) and his family (Norma Place, Malcolm Street, Louise Place). Johnsview Terrace was named in memory of a boy who drowned in a waterhole which the street overlooked.
Hammond Park
Hammond Park is a public park along the riverbank of the Waikato River. A boardwalk connects the different sections of the park. Hammond Bush, part of the Mangaonua Gully, is home to the rare New Zealand Long-tailed Bat. The beach along the Malcolm Street section of the park is a popular swimming spot during summer.
A local environmental improvement group (Riverlea Environment Society incorporated) has been instrumental in enhancing the Hammond Bush and campaigning against the building of an asphalt plant.
Riverlea Theatre
The Riverlea Theatre and Arts Centre, established in 1984, is home to Musikmakers and the Hamilton Playbox Repertory Society.
Demographics
According to the 2006 census, Riverlea has a population of 2535. The Index of Socioeconomic Deprivation, ranked 1-10 from lowest to most deprived areas, lists Riverlea at 3/10 (low deprivation).