Have your say on Palmy’s parks, reserves and outdoor recreation areas

Published on 03 July 2025

We're inviting you to have your say on two important plans that will help shape the future of our parks and outdoor spaces. Submissions on the draft General Policy Reserve Management Plan and draft Kahuterawa Outdoor Recreation Plan are open until 5pm, Thursday 28 August.

Palmerston North City Council's Parks and Reserves Manager, Kathy Dever-Tod, says our parks and reserves are at the heart of our community.

“With more than 170 parks and reserves across the city – from sportsfields and playgrounds to scenic bush tracks and river pathways – these green spaces are a huge part of what makes Palmy a great place to live. We want to make sure we’re managing them in a way that reflects what locals want to see, both now and into the future.”

We've brought our existing policies together into one formal document, the General Policy Reserve Management Plan. This plan sets out how parks and reserves across the city will be managed. It also includes some important updates around leases, community gardens, donations and cultural and biodiversity protections.

“This plan doesn’t propose major changes,” Kathy explains. “It’s about making sure we have one clear and accessible document so everyone knows the guidelines, especially for things like putting up signs, renewing community leases, and donating seats or other park features.”

We’re also refreshing the Kahuterawa Outdoor Recreation Plan, which covers Kahuterawa Reserve, Arapuke Forest Park, the Sledge Track and Back Track, Gordon Kear Forest, and Hardings Park. The existing plan is almost 20 years old.

Late last year we asked you for input on this plan, and we’ve taken those ideas into a draft that looks at activities like biking, hiking, hunting, camping and fishing, as well as caring for biodiversity and managing pest control.

“The Kahuterawa area is one of Palmy’s favourite outdoor playgrounds,” says Kathy. “More people are using these spaces every year, so it’s vital that we have a plan that supports recreation and also looks after the environment.”

We’re not proposing major changes to the way these spaces are managed; we’re just building on what’s already working well. Submissions close at 5pm on Thursday 28 August.

For more information and to have your say, visit pncc.govt.nz/haveyoursay