The nature-inspired vision for the Selwyn District Park
Selwyn District Council media release: 24th September 2024
Grassy open spaces, green leafy trees, moving through natural areas. The feedback is in. People want to be immersed in nature - a vision that the Selwyn District Park aims to bring to life.
Following support through the Long-Term Plan, the Selwyn District Council secured land on the eastern outskirts of Rolleston in 2018, to transform it into a large-scale public park to accommodate the needs of our rapidly growing community.
Between February and March 2024, the Council gathered feedback from the community through the Plant a Park campaign, on what you wanted to see in the Selwyn District Park. With over 1,650 online responses, the overwhelming feedback from the public has shown four key priorities for the new Selwyn District Park. These four priorities are:
- Natural areas and planting;
- Tracks and trails;
- Grassy open spaces; and
- Range of play opportunities.
Natural areas and planting
People want to be immersed in nature. To hear the birds, smell the flowers, and see green leafy trees. With a large area to work in, the Selwyn District Park has the space to accommodate multiple green areas, from walking tracks underneath large tree canopies to gardens filled with native and exotic flora, and sister city planting collections. Picnic areas with BBQs, seats, tables, and shade will allow everyone in the community to access nature.
Tracks and trails
Whether you are walking, running, cycling, or scootering, various tracks and trails will make your journey through the Selwyn District Park interesting and varied. Tracks and trails will be constructed with different surface treatments to cater for a range of experiences. Walking through nature ties in with the top priority of wanting natural areas.
Grassy open space
Grassy open spaces will include multipurpose areas for informal recreation such as kicking a ball or flying a kite, as well as large community events, such as Selwyn Sounds and the Selwyn Fireworks Spectacular, which are increasing in popularity. A large open space in the Selwyn District Park will allow events like these to be held in a reserve designed with these events in mind. These spaces can also be used for school cross-country and running events. Foster Park will remain Selwyn’s premier sports park, but there will be some provision of sports fields within the Selwyn District Park development, to cater for growth in some sporting codes and overflow for larger tournaments.
Range of play opportunities
The Selwyn District Park will accommodate a range of play opportunities. Feedback showed a trend towards natural play opportunities and play trails, allowing our youth and young at heart to interact with nature and get in touch with the environment. The addition of small court surfaces will allow informal games such as 3on3 basketball or pickleball to be played. Play opportunities will also include a small water play area with items such as splash pads or interactive fountains.
Executive Director Infrastructure and Property, Tim Mason, says it was great to hear from the Selwyn community on their visions for the district park.
“It’s a great opportunity with a blank space to get creative and we were pleased to see how engaged people were and the good ideas coming through. We’re excited to now be in the master planning stage and share these plans with our community.”
The Council is now in the master planning stage for the development of the Selwyn District Park. Three options will be presented to Council in November 2024. Following this, the Council will consult with the public on stage one on what should be included and where. Public consultation is expected to take place early in 2025 with an aim to begin park development works in 2026.
The Selwyn District Park will be completed in multiple stages. Stage one will focus on the four key priorities listed above, within 35 hectares on the northern side of the park.
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