Parks and Reserves Activity Management Plan 2009

Council owns and manages a wide range of parks and open spaces that protect Nelson’s biodiversity, heritage, river and coastal areas. The presence of reserves in and around the city also encourages active lifestyles, bringing health and wellbeing benefits and providing for a variety of outdoor recreation activities.

The Council manages 11,120 hectares (ha) of parks and reserves. The majority is held in the Brook, Roding and Maitai Conservation Reserves, which together total just over 10,000ha and are rich in native species and ecosystems. Nelson’s reserves also form the green backdrop to the city which is very much a part of the Nelson reputation as a green and beautiful part of the country.

The Parks and Reserves Activity Management Plan guides Council for the next 10 years in its provision and management of parks and reserves to provide open space that meets the needs of the community. As well as setting the framework for how Nelson’s parks and reserves will be managed and maintained, the plan identifies where new parks are needed and looks at future open space needs as a result of population growth and changing trends in recreation.

Nelson’s open spaces include:

Open Space Type

Primary Purpose(s)

Conservation Reserves

Water supply catchment protection, biodiversity and heritage conservation and informal recreation such as mountain biking and walking

Landscape Reserves

Protecting the city’s back-drop and landscape characteristics and providing high quality opportunities for informal recreation

Esplanade and Foreshore Reserves

Protecting waterways and the coast, and providing ecological linkages and walking/cycling corridors between the city’s open spaces

Sportsfield Reserves

Organised sports such as netball, soccer, rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis, athletics and providing larger areas for informal recreation

Neighbourhood Parks

Accessible informal recreation close to home, primarily for play and social interaction and enhancing the amenity of residential areas

Horticultural Parks

Preserving heritage plantings, botanical display and accessible for passive recreation

Heritage and Park Trees

Protection and maintenance of heritage and park trees

Download the Plan

Click here to download the Parks and Reserves Activity Management Plan 2009. (5.5MB PDF) Copies of the plan are also available to view at Council offices and libraries.

Contact

Manager Community Policy and Planning on +64 3 546 0420 or click here to send an email.