Memorial Park feedback presented
Maintain the beloved War Memorial Park was the general consensus presented by residents at the Te Awamutu Community Board’s public forum on Tuesday evening.
The local community board heard from those who requested to speak to council to present their feedback on the draft Memorial Park concept plan at this month’s meeting.
Speakers echoed of the key themes presented in a Waipā District Council feedback report, to retain and restore the original memorial features and to put efforts into an improved park maintenance regime for their beloved area.
In the plan, they also sought recognition of the original purpose of the Te Awamutu & Districts War Memorial Park - a place to reflect and remember the district’s local war heroes.
Waipā District Council’s community services manager, Sally Sheedy, said the passionate response to the draft plans was reflective of the sentiment held towards the park.
“We had more submissions for the draft Memorial Park concept plan than we received for our Annual Plan which shows how passionate our community is about this park. Our community obviously would like to see this area embraced and cherished for years to come.”
The five key aspects of the plan were prioritised, with the highest given to acknowledging and honouring the cultural significance and history of the park. Improvements to the track network and streams were considered more important than developing multi-use spaces, education and play grounded in ecology and culture.
“The feedback also showed support for some aspects of the draft concept plan, including the proposed riparian planting along the Mangaohoi and Mangapiko streams and restoration of natural springs. There was also significant support for a new gathering place at the stream confluence where people can learn about the cultural significance of the area to Te Awamutu.”
The feedback report also identified there was community support for new wayfinding and educational signage, as well as for the development of a wide shared pathway.
The feedback report will also be presented Council’s Strategic Planning & Policy Committee in October. Staff are currently undertaking a detailed analysis and developing recommended options which will be presented later this year for consideration. Options will then be assessed by elected members for consideration in the final concept plan.