Tauran~a City ~ BOFFA ~ MISKELL planning design ecology Ground Floor, 141 Cameron Road PO Box 13 373 Tauranga Tel : 64-07-571-5511 Fax: 64-07-571-3333 Web: www.boffamiskell.co.nz Fergusson Park LANDSCAPE CONCEPT PLAN Active Reserves Management Plan Job No: 03154 Date: 17/02/2005 Scale: 1:1000 (A1) 1:2000 (A3) Y:\Aucldand\2003\T03154 Active RMP- TDC\CAD Working Files\03154-Fergusson.dgn Boffa Miskell Limited 2004
Fergusson Park (Amended 2012) History Fergusson Park is located at Tilby Drive and Beach Road, Matua. It covers an area of nearly 14 hectares. The Tilby Family purchased 111 acres of swampland which constituted the Otumoetai part of the area confiscated following the battle of Gate Pa in 1864. 26 acres of this swampland was identified for development as a reserve and purchased by council for 1000 per acre, when the neighbouring Tilby farm subdivided to allow for residential progress in 1959. A further eight acres of land was donated by the Tilby family in 1979 when the remainder of the farm was subdivided. The park is named after Sir Charles Fergusson, Governor General at the time this land was acquired. In the 1970s various improvements and extensions to the park were undertaken with the aim to promote the public park and playing area. In the planting season of 1977 a total of 601 trees were planted to enhance the area. A further $600,000 was spent on the park in 2000, to improve drainage. Features of the Park The park is largely low lying and adjoins the Tauranga Harbour on the northern and north-western boundaries, with steep banks along the southern boundary. A boat ramp provides access to the Tauranga Harbour; however, this has been impacted on by silting of the harbour. A narrow tree-planted strip around the harbour foreshore provides opportunities to sit and view organised sport, and to picnic - barbeques and tables are provided. The steep bank along the southern boundary is planted with trees and shrubs and contains an extensive walkway system which links the Park to Waratah Street, a residential street that overlooks the park. A legal covenant specifying vegetation height requirements along the steep bank is in place. The Park s greatest asset is the large block of open space which accommodates sports requiring extensive areas. Views across and into the Park areas are highly valued by local residents, and interpretation panels located along the foreshore highlight the interesting history of the park and the wider Matua area. Existing Leases LESSEE LEASED AREA TERMS OF LEASE Otumoetai Soccer Club 314.74m 2 Building Dripline 1977 21 years under Reserves & Domains Act 1953. Active Reserve Management Plan February 2005 41
Sports, events, activities and facilities available Organised sports: Cricket - Albion Cricket Club are based at Fergusson Park. The park is used extensively for junior and secondary schools cricket, including tournaments. Soccer Otumoetai Soccer Club is based at Fergusson Park. As above, the park is used extensively for junior and secondary schools soccer, including tournaments. Leisure Marching Several leisure marching groups use the park for practices. Events: The park is used annually for the Matua Primary School Fireworks Display, a very popular event that is a fundraiser for the school. Several sports events are held at the park. Other community events occur from time to time. Other activities: Model Airplane Club Once regular park users, the club and Council will put together a management agreement, including putting in place safety measures, to allow the club to once again use the park. Blokarters Blokarters periodically use the park, and have been advised by their club to only use the park when sports are not in progress. Facilities Available: Clubrooms (owned by Otumoetai Soccer Club and Albion Cricket Club) Playground BBQs (coin operated) and tables Boat ramp Soccer fields (winter, 6 fields approx) Cricket fields (summer, 4 wickets approx) and cricket nets owned by the Albion Cricket Club Separate public toilets / changing rooms Fitness Trail and walking tracks Vehicle Parking (formed carpark for approx 45 cars) Active Reserve Management Plan February 2005 42
Issues and Opportunities 1. Carparking and vehicle movement along the foreshore leaves the ground in poor condition. 2. Boat ramp access is at times difficult, with trailers struggling to turn around and park. 3. Use of the park by Tauranga Model Airplane Club has been an ongoing matter. 4. More tree planting is required. 5. The park is used extensively by people walking their dogs; the public need to be aware that this is the case. 6. The clubrooms building could cater for more users if it was upgraded and expanded. 7. The Tauranga Astronomical Society would like to set up a small observatory on the park. 8. Access into the park from Beach Road and Waratah Street is not well signposted. 9. The Beach Road end of the park does not get as much use as the Tilby Drive end of the park. Role of Park within the Active Reserves Network Fergusson Park is a premier park, providing a large amount of greenspace adjacent to Tauranga harbour. The park is well used for sports, but is also used extensively by the local Matua community and by the wider Tauranga community. The park is therefore designed with a high focus on the general public use of the area. Management Statements 1. Any development of Fergusson Park will be in keeping with the existing character of the park that is, as an open green space that provides valuable access to the Tauranga Harbour and is used extensively by local residents and the general public. 2. Exclusive Use areas are not permitted. 3. The cricket nets may remain on the park, and extensions may be negotiated in the future. 4. Local Community events and sports events are permitted, up to 5000 people. 5. Mobile vendors may operate provided that where another user has booked the park, the vendor has the express permission of that user to be on the site. 6. Foreshore Licences are permitted. Resource consent conditions currently apply. 7. Other temporary commercial uses are generally not permitted. 8. Tauranga Model Aircraft Club will be permitted to use Fergusson Park provide that an agreement for use can be negotiated with Council that outlines: - Use of non-motorised planes only - Specified times and hours for use - Signage to be put in place - Arrangements for liability insurance Active Reserve Management Plan February 2005 43
9. Trees along the foreshore will be maintained and replaced over time, with willows being phased out and replaced with more appropriate species as necessary. 10. Council will continue to work actively with the Matua Residents and Ratepayers Association and Otumoetai Sport and Recreation Club to carry out the actions identified in the Management Plan. 11. Dogs are permitted and encouraged on Fergusson Park, in line with the Dog Control Bylaw. 12. Council reserves the right to permit vehicle access into Fergusson Park from Beach Road, if this is deemed necessary in the future and provided that further public consultation is undertaken. 13. The further development envelope indicated on the Concept Plan for Fergusson Park will be used for an extension to the clubrooms to cater for more users, for the provision of a flat deck area to be used for viewing sport and as a stage for community events, and for the development of a small observatory by the Tauranga Astronomical Society. All developments must prove that they will cater to the general public in some way. 14. The proposed toilet block will be constructed in accordance with provisions in the Regional Coastal Environment Plan. 15. Vegetation on the Fergusson Park north facing bank that interferes with the existing height restriction (as stated in the legal covenant for this area) will be removed with appropriate lower growing species planted and maintained in their place. 16. For the purposes of Goal1, this reserve is identified as a designated site in which mobile homes will be permitted to park overnight as long as this use is permitted by and in accordance with the conditions and requirements of the relevant mobile homes policy and bylaw(s). Active Reserve Management Plan February 2005 44
Actions (to be read in conjunction with concept plan) Priority actions are subject to change through the LP process. Short-Term = 2006 / 2007 2008 / 2009, = 2009 / 2010 2012 / 2013, = 2013 / 2014 2015 / 2016. What will be done? Why? Who will do it? How will it be done? Priority 1. Expand and upgrade the existing clubrooms building (within the development envelope highlighted on the concept plan), to include public toilets and storage and adequate carparking. 2. Enable development of a small observatory (within the development envelope shown on the concept plan. 3. Incorporate a flat deck area that could be used for viewing sport and as a stage for community events (attached to the building, within the development envelope highlighted on the concept plan). 4. Negotiate an agreement with Tauranga Model Aircraft Club to allow them to use Fergusson Park. 5. Upgrade walkway from Beach Road to the vehicle access road. 6. Provide directional lighting along walkway along foreshore, if there is a demand or identified need for it. - To enable wider community use of the building. - To reduce the impact of other buildings on the park by incorporating public toilets and storage into a new building. To create a base for the Tauranga Astronomical Society to host small viewings. A lot of community events can be based on Fergusson Park power and a raised stage area would make the venue more desirable for community events. To allow a previous user to continue using the park by ensuring safety measures and specified times for use are in place, to avoid accidents. The walkway is becoming overgrown and is very narrow, making it difficult to use. To make the park safer for use at dawn dusk and in the evening. - Matua Residents and Ratepayers Association - Sports Clubs - Guides and Scouts - Tauranga Astronomical Society - Matua Residents and Ratepayers Association - Events Sector - TCAC Tauranga Model Aircraft Club Through consultation with user groups and the community to determine what could be provided and how it could be used. Carparking will include provision for cycle racks in accordance with the Walking and Cycling Strategy. The Astronomical Society will submit plans for consideration, to be approved by Asset Manager. By working in partnership with the Matua Residents and Ratepayers Association and other users. In accordance with best practice standards. By installing low level lighting that illuminates the path without affecting neighbouring properties. Short-Term Externally Funded Short Term Action Staff Time Only Short Team Short-Term Long-Term 7. Promote the use of the park for walking dogs, and improve owners awareness To increase awareness for dog owners and other park users. - Honorary Dog Wardens Through SPARC physical activity promotion brochure. Active Reserve Management Plan February 2005 45
What will be done? Why? Who will do it? How will it be done? Priority of their responsibilities when using the park. 8. Highlight entry points from Waratah Street and Beach Road into the park. 9. Increase the number of cricket wickets available (whilst maintaining the same number of soccer fields). 10. Plant additional trees along the road to the boat ramp and on bunds around the main cricket oval (see concept plan). 11. Install a toilet block near the playground at the Beach Road entrance to the Park. 12. Expand playground equipment at the Beach Road entrance to the Park. 13. Develop a walkway around the perimeter of the park and install seating at regular intervals, for use by inline skaters and walkers, and cyclists. 14. Reorganise the parking area by the boat ramp to provide better access. 15. Once new public toilets are provided in the upgraded clubrooms buildings, continue to monitor use of the public toilets by the boat ramp and remove the toilets if use is not sufficient to warrant retaining the toilets. 16. Upgrade and enhance walkway connections on north facing bank of Fergusson Park. To increase awareness of how to get to the park. To provide for sport. To increase shade for spectators and people walking along the foreshore, and to enhance the natural characteristics of the park. To create a hub of amenities at this end of the park to increase use. To create another play area for older children within the park. To promote more use of the park for people walking their dogs, people jogging, or people walking for fitness. To improve access and safety for boat ramp users and to minimise the impact of trailers being parked on the park. The public toilets by the boat ramps are in average condition new toilets provided as part of the clubrooms are more efficient. To promote and maintain access into the park, and to retain the amenity value of the park. - Animal Services - Parks & Leisure - Albion Cricket Club - Otumoetai Soccer Club Tauranga City Council Parks & Leisure Division Roading Division Through signage on the park (encouraging use in a responsible way) to be developed in consultation with honorary dog wardens and Animal Services. Through negotiation between the soccer and cricket club. In consultation with local residents and sports clubs to ensure appropriate species are planted, and view shafts are maintained. Through consultation with neighbours and sports clubs. Through consultation with neighbours and sports clubs. By constructing a 2m wide hard surface walkway in accordance with best practice standards. Using best practice standards. By establishing a monitoring project to track use of the public toilets. Through weed removal, walkway upgrades, and ongoing maintenance. External Action Short Term Staff Time Only Ongoing Action Short Term Active Reserve Management Plan February 2005 46