Parks Project
Eastern Porirua Parks Landscape Plan
The Parks Landscape Plan provides a long-term vision for three key parks in eastern Porirua: Bothamley Park (The Old Road), Cannons Creek Park and Cannons Creek Lakes Reserve (The Duck Pond). As the population grows in eastern Porirua, it is important that our public parks and reserves meet the needs of current and future generations. The plan, vision and design outcomes have been developed in collaboration with Te Rā Nui project partners along with key stakeholders and our community. This plan is a living document that will help guide future projects for the three parks, enabling Te Rā Nui – Eastern Porirua Development project partners Kāinga Ora, Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Porirua City Council to identify project steps, funding, and delivery. As opportunities identified in the plan arise, there will be further engagement with our community.
Background
In 2019, the community told us the health of the environment was important to them, but it needed improving along with better access to parks and open spaces. In late 2021, we asked the community how you use Bothamley Park, Cannons Creek Lakes Reserve and Cannons Creek Park, and how we can make them better now and in the future. The community told us that the environment, access and pathways, safety, and park activities are important. In addition, that cultural identity and practices should be reflected through the parks.
Since then we have been working with stakeholders and landscape architects to finalise the draft plan, and Ngāti Toa Rangatira have provided a cultural review of the final Parks Landscape Plan.
Thank you to everyone that shared their thoughts. Your input helped create this Parks Landscape Plan for the three parks.
It also helped inform the design and consent application for both the wetland in Cannons Creek Park which if approved is due to start construction in 2025, and for the wastewater pipes upgrade through Bothamley Park, which is now almost completed.
Opportunities to improve the parks
Through community engagement five key themes to focus on were identified:
1. Mauri tū and te taiao, te arawai – Our environment and waterways
Improve freshwater and land-based habitats and strengthen people’s connection to nature
2. He ara – Connections
Improve access to, and pathway connections within the parks
3. Ngā mahi whakakaha – Facilities and activities
Improve seating, shelter and places for passive and active recreation
4. Whakapapa and Mātauranga – Identity and education
Connecting people to place
5. Marutau - Safety
Spaces are safe places when they are loved and well-used by the community.
Dowload a copy below:
Eastern Porirua Parks Landscape Plan
Timeline
Ongoing – further engagement with our community as opportunities identified in the plan arise.
Late 2024 – Eastern Porirua Parks Landscape Plan published.
2023 - 2024 - finalise Parks Landscape Plan incorporating further stakeholder and community feedback, and Ngāti Toa Rangatira cultural review
November – December 2021 - share draft Parks Landscape Plan with community to ensure we heard their feedback
September - October 2021 - use community feedback to create draft Parks Landscape Plan.
August - September 2021 - seek community feedback on Bothamley Park, Cannons Creek Park and Cannons Creek Lakes Reserve.
Parks projects frequently asked questions
To help answer some questions you may have about the opportunity to improve Bothamley Park, Cannons Creek Park and Cannons Creek Lakes Reserve, view the FAQs.
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What is a Parks Landscape Plan?
A Parks Landscape Plan helps set the direction on how we can enhance the accessibility, safety and function of Bothamley Park, Cannons Creek Park and Cannons Creek Lakes Reserve. The Parks Landscape Plan outlines how we can make the most out of each space to best meet the needs of the community now and into the future. The plan will also feed into the wider Te Rā Nui, Eastern Porirua Development work programme to improve public spaces alongside housing in eastern Porirua.
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Why do we need a Parks Landscape Plan?
Eastern Porirua has a great variety of open spaces and recreation facilities, ranging from sports grounds, recreational reserves, scenic reserves, playgrounds and local neighbourhood parks. However, we know that Bothamley Park, Cannons Creek Park and Cannons Creek Lakes Reserve need some improvements to ensure they are safe and fit for purpose.
Community told us that:
- The three parks are underutilised
- There is low visibility and poor water management
- There is a lack of accessibility and safety
- There is significant water pollution within Bothamley Park due to the old wastewater pipes
- Cannons Creek Park has poor drainage at the bottom of the park
- Cannons Creek Lakes Reserve has issues around public safety, vandalism and anti-social behaviour
Creating a Parks Landscape Plan will provide a guide on how we could enhance Bothamley Park, Cannons Creek Park and Cannons Creek Lakes Reserve to meet the needs of the community now and into the future.
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When will you come back to the community for feedback?
Absolutely! We will collate all feedback received in 2021 and share a Parks Landscape Plan with more specific examples of how we could enhance Bothamley Park, Cannons Creek Park and Cannons Creek Lakes Reserve.
Any work outlined in the Parks Landscape Plan will need to be staged and further consultation will be carried out before we start making any significant changes to the parks.
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Will we get more community facilities?
Any opportunities outlined in the Parks Landscape Plan will need to be staged and further community engagement will be carried out before we start making any significant changes to the parks.
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Who will deliver the Parks Landscape Plan?
The plan will be delivered in partnership between the community, Te Rā Nui, Eastern Porirua Development, Porirua City Council and Ngāti Toa Rangatira. The work will be staged and there will be further consultation required before we start making significant changes to each park as outlined in the Parks Landscape Plan.
