Scope and Definition of Neighbourhood Reserves
Reserves can be loosely placed in two categories – Active reserves
and Passive reserves.
Passive reserves provide space for casual play, relaxation, family
activities, and other forms of ‘informal’ leisure.
Space used as a neighbourhood reserve may be provided from other
sources or entities. Schools, hospitals, undeveloped land, or private
land may provide active or passive leisure opportunities for the
community. The Plan does not specifically cater for these reserves
that are not provided by Council.
Neighbourhood reserves are passive reserves provided for the local
community. A neighbourhood reserve can be defined as space that
is primarily provided for use by neighbourhoods, for casual
recreation, play, relaxation, community activity, links to other areas,
or quiet open space. Neighbourhood reserves also provide amenity
value. Neighbourhood reserves vary in size, but most are 1000m2 to
5000m2.
Characteristics of neighbourhood reserves
There are large passive reserves within Tauranga District that serve
a wider catchment than the immediate neighbourhood, such as
Yatton Park and Coronation Park. These reserves provide passive
leisure opportunities for the local community, however this is not their
primary function. Reserves that have a Ward or City wide focus are
therefore not covered by this Plan.
The following categories have been developed to assist in defining
the function a specific neighbourhood reserve might have in its local
community
Active Reserves provide space for organised sport and associated
facilities, such as playing fields, modified surfaces like tennis courts,
and club buildings. It’s important to note that areas defined as
‘active’ reserve also provide space for passive leisure. Providing for
passive leisure is not the primary function of an active reserve,
however, and as such active reserves are also not covered by this
Plan.
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Neighbourhood reserves often perform different roles within the local
community. For example, some have playgrounds and picnic tables,
and are used regularly by families. Others provide walkway links
from one part of a neighbourhood to another.
Family neighbourhood reserves
These are reserves that provide space for family activities. They
have playgrounds and ancillary facilities such as seating, picnic
tables, and shade cover. BBQs may also be provided. Family
neighbourhood reserves provide relatively large areas of open
space.
Neighbourhood reserves with amenities
Reserves that offer some amenities, but do not offer enough to be
considered family reserves. Examples are reserves that provide a
small playground but don’t provide a large amount of open space, or
reserves that provide public toilets and picnic tables but don’t provide
a playground.
Outcomes of the Neighbourhood Reserves
Management Plan.
Connecting neighbourhood reserves
The goals and objectives of the Plan have been prepared in order to
achieve the following outcomes.
Reserves that provide a walkway link from one place to another.
This is the primary function of the reserve.
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Neighbourhood reserves are focal points for local communities
and provide space for a diverse range of leisure opportunities
Green space neighbourhood reserves
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Opportunities for the community to use and enjoy neighbourhood
reserves are increased.
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Resident accessibility to public open spaces and facilities to
assist in offsetting the loss of private space in areas where
housing densities are increasing is maintained and enhanced.
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Active involvement of the community in the design and
management of neighbourhood reserves is sought.
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Conservation and preservation of neighbourhood reserves in the
district is encouraged.
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Any development on neighbourhood reserves is for the purpose
of better utilisation and enhancement of the reserves.
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The statutory requirement of the Reserves Act 1977 for all
administering bodies of recreation reserves to prepare reserve
management plans for these reserves, is met.
Reserves that provide areas of green space in a neighbourhood.
They are usually planting focused, and may have a special feature,
such as a walkway or heritage site, but their primary function is to
provide open green space in the neighbourhood.
Undeveloped neighbourhood reserves
Reserves that have been set aside for neighbourhood reserve
purposes, but have not yet been developed.
Defining these categories enables the Plan to set management
techniques necessary to maintain or develop neighbourhood
reserves based on their differing characteristics.
Vision of the Neighbourhood Reserves
Management Plan
Local communities take pride in and have a sense of ownership over
the network of quality neighbourhood reserves provided by the
Tauranga District Council.
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