Getting Strategic About Recreation and Open Spaces

What does New Plymouth District need for recreation and open space, and do we have the right mix of facilities?

This is the focus of a proposed Recreation and Open Space Strategy which is being considered this week by the district’s four community boards.

Their recommendations will go to a Policy Committee meeting which will consider approving the development of a strategy.

Manager Parks Mark Bruhn says a strategy would help the Council make strategic decisions about the recreation, sport and leisure needs of the community as well as the requirements of high-performance sport, connectivity and use of open space, regional biodiversity and local identity amenities.

A district aquatic facility review would run alongside it.

“The plan is to look at the current demand for recreation and open space as well as future trends, and establish whether we’ve got the supply of facilities right,” says Mr Bruhn.

If the creation of a strategy is approved, a community reference group would develop a draft strategy next year for public consultation.

A report on the current use of recreation and open space in the district shows that the top three things people wanted open spaces to provide are walkways, beach access and events/concerts.

Since 2008 the use of the Coastal Walkway has increased by 45 per cent, and since 2001/02 the number of users at the Todd energy Aquatic Centre and district pools has risen by more than 100,000.

Within New Plymouth District, 87.7 per cent of dwellings are within 400m of a Council-owned open space and 89.3 per cent are within 500m.