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Russell Park Masterplan

As part of our 'Places and Spaces for a Thriving Future' we are kicking off a project to develop a 'masterplan' to guide the long-term future development of Russell Park.

Russell Park Masterplan

We have kicked off a project to create a vision for the future development of Russell Park - Waipukurau's premier active reserve. We have run a survey for community feedback and would like to everyone who took the time to share thoughts and ideas on this space. Over the next few months we will continue to work with key stakeholders and the wider community to develop the Masterplan.

The project will result in an overarching masterplan to guide the long-term future development of this space. 

The masterplan will guide our investment in the park and how we will develop new facilities and redevelop existing spaces and buildings within and immediately surrounding Russell Park.Untitled 200 200px 1

Russell Park has developed over several decades. The masterplan will help us to plan development in an integrated, strategic way that meets the needs of all users in our community. This includes addressing:

  • Do we have the right facilities to cater for future growth?
  • Do we have everything in the right places or are there better ways to lay things out on the park?
  • Are the existing community facilities fit for purpose?
  • How can we ensure long-term security of access to the park for the community, given that some land is not owned by Council?

The final masterplan will inform Council's Long-Term Plan 2024-2034, activity and asset management plans.  

Below is a map of Russell Park which identifies the issues that have been raised through previous consultation, click the link to view in more detail.

RP FINAL

A masterplan is a concept plan which illustrates our long-term aspirations for the park and provides a layout to guide the development so that we achieve the vision. It will set out the best way to develop new facilities and/or redevelop existing spaces and buildings within and immediately surrounding Russell Park.

Because Russell Park has developed over several decades in a manner which has been more responsive than proactive, we now have several issues which need to be addressed in a more integrated way, including: 

  • The growth of our population and demand for more core sports facilities like fields and courts along with supporting infrastructure like clubrooms, lighting, changing rooms, toilets and storage.
  • The age and condition of some buildings like the War Memorial Hall and Scout Hall means we need to think about how we repair or replace them.
  • There are four separate landowners that contribute to the ‘sport and recreation precinct’ each with different funding, management and operational structures. The complicated ownership and management of the park means we need to think about how we can ensure security of access for the community.
  • There are areas of underutilised land that could possibly cater for future growth but we need a clear plan in place to determine the best use of the land.

The masterplan will aim to ensure these issues are resolved in a strategic and integrated manner, taking into account the needs of all users to provide the best outcome for the park and the community.

The process to create the masterplan will span over the rest of this calendar year.  

The masterplan will be one of the key projects Council will be consulting on with the community through the Long-Term Plan 2024-34.

Once adopted by Council, the final masterplan will serve as a key document to inform Council’s Long-Term Plan, Activity Plans and Asset Management Plans by providing a framework for future decisions affecting investment and development of the park and its facilities.

How is the project progressing?

The process to develop a masterplan for the Russell Park Recreation Precinct began in August and we are making great progress. We are aiming to have a draft masterplan ready for public consultation through the Long-Term-Plan in early 2024.

During the investigation phase we surveyed the community on what they love about Russell Park and what they thought could be improved. The feedback we received from the survey, along with stakeholder co-design workshops provided us with valuable insights to guide the development of the draft masterplan.

What survey respondents told us:

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