Before we finalise the plan, we’d like to hear your answers to some key questions about 12 reserves:

• A third playground may be added at Central Park in Richmond West, to complement the two existing oval playgrounds for younger children. Would you support converting another grassed area into a new play space?
• The draft concept plan for Camberley Reserve includes a central lawn and pathway, playground, shade sail, and fruit trees. Do you support this plan and which elements do you most want to see developed?
• Lampton Reserve could become a hub for active play, with a basketball half court, cinema wall, accessible playground, and more. Do you support the concept plan and which features should be prioritised?
• The draft plan for Chertsey Reserve proposes two circular lawns, a playground, and pathway surrounded by trees and seating. Do you support the proposed layout and amenities?
• An active play focus is proposed for Lampton Reserve, while Camberley and Chertsey Reserves are designed more for gathering and quieter play. Do you support the proposed themes for each reserve, or should the activities be arranged differently across the three sites?
• A new name is sought for Pukeko Park to reduce confusion with other reserves in the area. What name would you suggest?
• Additional on-site car parking (50 spaces) may be created at Jubilee Park, near the tennis courts. Do you support this?
• Three options are proposed for the Jubilee Park skatepark: maintain it, upgrade it, or relocate it to another reserve. Which option do you support?
• Council is considering declaring Jubilee Park a reserve under section 14 of the Reserves Act 1977 to ensure long-term protection. Do you support this?
• The same legal protection is proposed for Cambridge Street Playground. Do you agree or think the land should be kept flexible for future community facilities?
• The Maitai Lodge (ex-Druids Hall) at Hope Reserve could be upgraded or removed. Do you support retaining it and, if so, how should it be managed and used?
• Options are being explored to improve the management of bookings at Hope Reserve. Should the Management Committee remain in charge or should Council take on this role?
• A beginner-friendly pump track is proposed to be built around the perimeter of Chelsea Avenue Reserve and Harriet Court Reserve – do you support this idea?
• Flooding has impacted the Easby Park playground in Richmond. Do you support relocating all play equipment to the western corner, or splitting equipment between both sides of the creek?
• To reduce conflict between walkers and bikers, a separate walking-only track is proposed in Easby Park. Do you support this change?
• A pump track may also be added to the southern part of Easby Park to increase active recreation opportunities. Do you support this?
• Paton Reserve is a new park that could include an amphitheatre, orchards, a café or food carts, and an accessible loop track. Do you support the concept plan and which elements appeal most?

Further details about each of these 12 parks and reserves are provided in the summary document:

• Draft Richmond RMP summary and key questions

1. Management of Poplars Recreation Reserve in Tadmor defaulted to Council several years ago, after the domain board ceased to exist. This reserve is Crown-owned, but the Crown has never formally requested that the Council administer this land. Do you think Council should inform DOC that it needs to resume management responsibility for the reserve, or ask DOC to formally appoint the Council to manage the reserve?
2. A new community hub is planned for Tapawera. The Council is considering options for the location of the new hub, including three sites on Tapawera Memorial Park Recreation Reserve. We’d like to hear your thoughts on the proposed location of the hub.
3. The Owen River Recreation Reserve was gifted to the Crown in the 1920s and is now vested in Council in trust for recreation purposes. The community hall was removed in the 1990s, but the reserve is still used as a remote campground today. Day-to-day management of the reserve relies on a contract with the owners of the neighbouring Owen Tavern, who clean the ablution block and collect camp fees. The tavern is currently for sale and it is possible that the new owners may not wish to be involved in ongoing management of the campground. We’d like to know your thoughts on three future management options for this reserve.
4. Two other Crown-owned reserves in remote locations (the Lower Maruia Memorial and Matakitaki Recreation Reserves) that Council administers also once had community halls on them. Today they are empty paddocks, providing little/no recreational value. Do you think that the Council should request that the vestings be removed and management responsibility for these two reserves returned to the Crown?
5. Murchison has several community rooms available for hire. The Council-owned building (which is not subject to the Reserves Act) at 5 Hampden Street is currently being utilised as a community gym. The long term plan is to relocate this activity to the MSRCC, when an extension is added to create a fitness centre. Do you think the Council should sell or retain the property at 5 Hampden Street?

Further details about each of these five questions are provided in the summary document:

• Draft Lakes-Murchison RMP summary and key questions