4 March 2016

Tell us about your favourite Rotorua park

Karenga and Centennial parks are the early front runners to take out Rotorua’s park of the year award run by Rotorua Lakes Council’s sports and recreation team.

Rotorua is home to 800 hectares of parks, gardens and reserves which contain 310 individual reserves, 72 playgrounds available for free public use and 100,000 hectares of native and exotic forests.

But for Makuini Hapi of Te Papa Takaro o Te Arawa and Joquita Werahiko of Kawaha Point Primary School, Karenga Park with is beautiful fruit trees and touch fields, is by far and away their favourite park.

Rotorua Lakes Council sports and recreation manager Rob Pitkethley names his favourite as Centennial Park because of its stunning and serene environment.

Now the council wants your nominations through its Facebook page using the hash tag #parksweek2016.

Parks Week, which starts tomorrow, brings together Australian and New Zealand councils and other organisations with an interest in the future of parks. The idea behind the week is to raise awareness of the social and economic value of these spaces.

“If we want liveable cities and thriving communities, then we need to invest in these public spaces. They are vital to our social and economic wellbeing,” said Mr Pitkethley.

“Parks make our towns and cities more attractive, and provide locals and visitors with opportunities to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and destress, exercise, as well as interact with others.

“None of us want to live in a concrete jungle. With increased urbanisation, and changing budgetary priorities, there is a risk that we’ll compromise on what matters most, and that includes our physical and psychological wellbeing.”

Parks Week, which is managed by the New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA) and Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA), runs from 5-13 March.

New Zealand Recreation Association chief executive Andrew Leslie said he is looking forward to seeing Australian and New Zealand organisations work more closely together.

“We have a great deal in common. People in New Zealand and Australia spend a great deal of their outdoor recreation time in parks.

“It makes absolute sense for us to work together and merge our talents, to obtain better outcomes for parks, and for our communities,” Mr Leslie said.

Why is this your favourite park?

Centennial Park is a stunning, serene environment to be in, especially in the autumn when the leaves are changing colour.

What’s in the park that makes it your pick?

It’s massive, around 41 hectares. It is the perfect place to take some time out to walk the dog.

Tell us the best feature or favourite area

The best thing about Centennial Park is that it is an established rural reserve. This means that the park will keep its natural appeal and will eventually morph into full grown woodlands.

It has that rural feel! Sheep are grazing, the hills are steep, it’s a great workout for both me and my hunting dog.

What can I do at this park?

Dog walking, horse cross country, running, walking and so on… There are also BBQ facilities to have a picnic. It is an ideal space for bird spotting, particularly Tuis in the spring when the cherries are in flower.

Why should other people go there?

It’s such a hidden gem that the Rotorua community isn’t aware of. It is a big piece of hidden land where you can just go to chill out and get in touch with the country side.

Makuini Hapi of Te Papa Takaro o Te Arawa and Joquita Werahiko of Kawaha Point Primary School, Karenga Park

Why is this your favourite park?

Our main loves of the park are the fruit trees and touch fields

Tell us the best feature?

The sports field and being able to play Ki o Rahi in our local community

What can I do in this park?

Ki o Rahi, Touch, go to playground, have a bbq, play basketball, skate

Why should other people go there?

It’s just a cool place where everyone can go.

ENDS

© Scoop Media