[1] Dingle Dell has long been overlooked as a nature reserve, named by the New Zealand Herald in the 1950s the "Cinderella of Auckland's Parks.

After Pākehā settlement the section that would become Dingle Dell was called the "bush reserve" by St Heliers residents.

[4] In 1925 a local resident Mr Todd Smith wrote to The Tamaki Recorder requesting a change to a more distinctive name.

][6] The Society appealed to the Mayor of Auckland John Allum for funding, and was involved in the planting and development of the reserve which was at that time still in poor and unsafe condition.

[4] In 1904 the Tamaki West Road Board took over the area from the New Zealand and Rive Plate Land Mortgage Company.

[4] In 1928 a women's progress league was formed in St Heliers, which collected money and hosted working bees to create the first path down Dingle Road.

[4] In the 1930s, men on labour relief schemes spurred by the Great Depression built Fern Glen Road.

The Society appealed to the Mayor of Auckland John Allum for funding, and was involved in the planting and development of the reserve.

The St Heliers Beautifying Society added three seats by the Fern Glen Road entrance to the reserve.

She was a key figure in the development of Dingle Dell Reserve, and the Auckland City Council appointed her an honorary ranger.