The Welcome Bay community is being asked what sort of improvements they would like to see to their parks and reserves.
Better playgrounds, more pathways, opportunities to play basketball, more greenery, and spaces that work well for lots of different people.
That’s what the people of Welcome Bay have told Tauranga City Council they would like to see for their parks and reserves. They now have a further opportunity to refine some of these ideas.
“Through Council’s Whakahou Taketake Vital Update in 2020, and this year’s Long-term Plan, we heard loud and clear that you value your parks and want to see more opportunities to enjoy them,” said Clare Abbiss, Open Space and Community Facilities Planner.
“We have some funding to improve parks within Welcome Bay and we are embarking on an exciting journey to work with the community to provide better open spaces.
“We’d love for you to email us with your ideas or fill out a survey.”
Based on what the community has already told Council, parks audits, and previously identified improvements, some of the ideas on the table for feedback include:
- More seats, picnic tables, pathways and cycleways, shade, plantings, and drinking fountains
- Development of Owens Park, which could include a new playground, new toilets, pump track, half basketball court, pathways, stream enhancements and better connections with Welcome Bay School
- Circuit training equipment at Waipuna Park
- An improved playground, pathways, and toilets at Tye Park
- Biking facilities, improved playground and pathways at Selwyn Park
- An improved playground and the addition of a barbecue at Waitaha Reserve.
In December, Council staff will be at various Welcome Bay parks and reserves where people can give feedback on the proposed parks improvements.
“We’d like to know which projects people would like to see delivered now, which are more important, and which are less important,” said Clare.
“This will include projects we can deliver quickly, and longer-term projects that will involve detailed design and more discussion with the community.”
Using community feedback, a prioritised list of parks improvement projects will be finalised in early 2022, and ‘quick-win’ improvements will get under way immediately after that. Detailed design work and planning for the longer-term projects will begin, and the community will have the opportunity to be involved in the designs.
How to have your say:
- Email your ideas at welcomebayparks@tauranga.govt.nz.
- Fill out an online feedback form (this will be available from Friday 3 December).
- Tell your thoughts to Council staff who will be at various Welcome Bay parks and reserves throughout December. Staff will use ipads to capture your feedback. COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place.
For more information, visit Welcome Bay Parks