Have your say on Richmond’s local reserves

We’re updating the Reserve Management Plan for the Richmond Ward and asked for your quick input on several key local reserves. Your feedback will help shape the final plan.

Paton Reserve - A new destination park for Richmond South

We’ve drafted a concept plan to transform Paton Reserve into a destination park on the edge of Richmond, giving visitors a taste of rural life. The vision includes walking among orchards, picnicking, enjoying outdoor concerts in a natural amphitheatre, and relaxing at a future café or food carts. An accessible loop track would link car parks, picnic areas, a lookout, and a potential playground, with seating along the way. Stormwater retention ponds and wetland features are also proposed to enhance the natural setting.

Currently, the only vehicle access is via Paton Road, but the plan explores adding new access from Cupola Crescent or a future road, with car parks on each side and an internal link road that could become one-way. Some facilities, like the main car park and café/play area, might be built later as access is improved. We’d love your feedback on these ideas and what features you’d most like to see at Paton Reserve.

Concept plan for Paton Reserve

Draft concept plan for Paton Reserve

Do you support the draft concept plan for Paton Reserve?

This poll has concluded.

  • Fully support
    68% (108 votes)
  • Partially support
    18% (28 votes)
  • Oppose
    15% (24 votes)
Total Votes: 160

Jubilee Park - A busy hub for sport and community events

Should we add ~50 extra car parks near the tennis courts?

We’re looking at adding parking in the grassed area near the tennis courts and Target Shooting Richmond building to ease parking pressure.

This poll has concluded.

  • Yes, support
    69% (131 votes)
  • Not sure
    14% (26 votes)
  • No, oppose
    17% (32 votes)
Total Votes: 189

What should happen with the skatepark?

The skatepark currently isn’t very visible, which has led to antisocial behaviour and vandalism. Upgrading it to suit users of all ages and abilities could help reduce this by encouraging more people to use it. Since a large skatepark is also planned for Saxton Field nearby, another option could be to move it to another Richmond reserve with better visibility.

This poll has concluded.

  • Keep it as it is
    11% (21 votes)
  • Upgrade it so it works for all ages & abilities
    59% (114 votes)
  • Relocate it somewhere else in Richmond (tell us where below!)
    30% (57 votes)
Total Votes: 192

Long-term protection: Should Jubilee Park be formally protected as a reserve under the Reserves Act?

Formally protecting the park would safeguard it for recreation long-term. Keeping its current flexible status could allow future uses like social housing or shops, if needed. If that happened, Council would look to create a comparable recreation space nearby.

This poll has concluded.

  • Yes, protect it long-term
    75% (143 votes)
  • No, keep it flexible
    23% (44 votes)
  • Other idea? Tell us!
    2% (3 votes)
Total Votes: 190

Chelsea Avenue & Harriet Court Reserves

Do you support the idea of a small pump track?

We’re considering installing a beginner-friendly pump track around the edge of these adjoining neighbourhood reserves, to give kids and learners a fun, safe riding space. The existing dirt mound will be retained unchanged.

This poll has concluded.

  • Yes
    91% (201 votes)
  • No
    9% (20 votes)
Total Votes: 221

Easby Park - Gateway to Kingsland Forest Park

Playground flood risk

Heavy rain can cause Reservoir Creek to overflow, damaging the playground. To reduce future flood damage, we plan to redesign and move the equipment. Which option do you prefer, and why?

This poll has concluded.

  • Option 1: Group all equipment together in the western corner (further from the creek)
    57% (129 votes)
  • Option 2: Split equipment – younger kids’ play area in the western corner, older kids’ equipment on the other side of the creek
    35% (79 votes)
  • Not sure
    8% (18 votes)
Total Votes: 226

Build a walking-only track to reduce conflict with bikes?

At the south end of Easby Park, the track from the Reservoir Creek bridge to Kingsland Forest is shared by walkers and bikers. We’re considering adding a separate walking-only path track alongside it, to help reduce conflicts between users.

This poll has concluded.

  • Yes
    73% (151 votes)
  • No
    27% (57 votes)
Total Votes: 208

Add a basic pump track for bikes?

Some residents suggested adding more active recreation, like a pump track, at the southern end of Easby Park, alongside the existing shared path.

This poll has concluded.

  • Yes
    85% (205 votes)
  • No
    15% (37 votes)
Total Votes: 242

Feedback wanted on Berryfields/The Meadows reserves

We’re developing long-term plans for parks and reserves in Berryfields/The Meadows and want to hear from you!

These quick polls focus on Central Park, Camberley, Lampton, and Chertsey Reserves. Choose the areas you care about most — it only takes a few minutes to help shape the future of these spaces.

Central Park - Add a third playground?

The two playgrounds at Central Park have proven to be immensely popular. If there is enough interest, the developer may consider converting the smaller of the two remaining oval areas into a similar playground, with different equipment, to complement the other two spaces. Do you support converting another grassed area into a new play space at Central Park?

This poll has concluded.

  • Yes
    73% (132 votes)
  • No
    18% (33 votes)
  • Not sure
    9% (17 votes)
Total Votes: 182
Concept plan for Camberley Reserve

Camberley Reserve – Village Green Gathering Space

We're proposing a relaxed, community-focused design for Camberley Reserve — with a central lawn, picnic areas, trees, and natural play features. Here's what we want to know:

Overall, how do you feel about the draft concept plan for Camberley Reserve?

This poll has concluded.

Total Votes: 161
Concept plan for Lampton Reserve

Lampton Reserve – Active Play and Social Space

Lampton Reserve could become a hub for active play — with a basketball court, cinema wall, accessible playground, and picnic zone.

Do you support this active play-focused plan for Lampton Reserve?

This poll has concluded.

Total Votes: 166
Concept plan for Chertsey Reserve

Chertsey Reserve – A Quiet, Natural Retreat

We’re proposing a quieter reserve at Chertsey — with trees, a small playground, a circular lawn, and spots to sit and relax.

How well does this plan reflect how you’d like to use Chertsey Reserve?

This poll has concluded.

Total Votes: 146

Have your Say: Baigents Bush Scenic Reserve

Baigents Bush Scenic Reserve is located on Pigeon Valley Road, across the river from Wakefield Recreation Reserve.

We’ve developed a concept plan and draft management policies for the reserve — and we want to know what you think.

Do you support the proposed direction? Are there changes you’d like to see?

Concept plan for Baigents Bush Scenic Reserve

Concept plan

Do you support the proposed concept plan for Baigents Bush Scenic Reserve?

This poll has concluded.

  • Support in full
    63% (22 votes)
  • Support in part
    23% (8 votes)
  • Oppose
    14% (5 votes)
Total Votes: 35

Draft management policies

Do you support the proposed management policies for Baigents Bush Scenic Reserve?

(You can view these in the draft RMP document linked above.)

This poll has concluded.

  • Support in full
    62% (18 votes)
  • Support in part
    21% (6 votes)
  • Oppose
    17% (5 votes)
Total Votes: 29

Future options for Owen River Recreation Reserve

This scenic riverside spot near the Owen and Buller/Kawatiri Rivers has long been a popular (if remote) place for campers, kayakers and rafters.

The reserve currently offers basic campground facilities including toilets, showers, picnic tables, and an open-sided shelter. These services are managed under contract by the owners of the neighbouring Owen River Tavern — but their property is up for sale, and future management is uncertain.

We’d like your feedback on three options for how the reserve could be managed in future.

Location of Owen River Recreation Reserve
Background in Brief
  • The reserve is Crown land, managed in trust by Tasman District Council for recreation purposes.
  • It’s accessed via a gravel road beside the Owen River Tavern, with legal easements in place.
  • The campground includes a small ablution block, water supply, and basic shelter — all of which require maintenance and regulatory compliance.
  • Council currently pays for grass mowing and water testing, with the tavern owners collecting camping fees and cleaning the toilets.
  • Future management needs to be reviewed, especially if the tavern is sold.
Potential future management options

Option 1 – Improve and promote the campground

Council works to increase the profile and use of the reserve by engaging a campground manager and adding highway signage. The current services (ablution block, potable water, shelter, etc.) would remain.

Option 2 – Self-contained campers only, no services

Council manages the reserve as a no-frills stopover for self-contained vehicles only. The ablution block would be removed, and toilets, showers, and drinking water would no longer be provided (similar to Wai-iti Recreation Reserve).

Option 3 – DOC takes back management

Council applies to DOC to remove its management responsibilities. If DOC takes over, it is likely the campground would be closed and camping prohibited. Vehicle access to the river for kayakers and rafters would remain.

What do you think?

Which one of the three potential future management options for Owen River Recreation Reserve do you support?

Please tell us your reasons in the feedback form below.

This poll has concluded.

Total Votes: 372

You can also have your say on other reserves in Lakes-Murchison Ward: