William Nelson Park development recognised at national awards

The development of William Nelson Park/skatepark in Hastings has shared the 2014 New Zealand Recreation Association Outstanding Project award. The category recognises excellence, innovation and effectiveness in the provision of a recreation project.

William Nelson Park was constructed on 6000m2 of land bordered by St Aubyn Street, King Street and Avenue Road and incorporates a passive park, a children’s playground and a skate plaza. Contractors began working on the project in April 2013 and the facility was opened to the public on the 6th October 2013.

Councillor Sandra Hazlehurst says “The development of William Nelson Park was an outstanding success. Community and user input during the design process ensured that the skatepark has been recognised as one of the best facilities of its type in the country.”
Sandra Hazlehurst says “The award is recognition of the superb effort that was put in by Council staff and the contractors that resulted in the development of this high class facility. The skatepark is well used by the regions young people, while the green space provides a place to relax close to the heart of the CBD.”

The award was shared with the South Coast Kids Track project that was entered by the Wellington Mountain Bike Club.

The citation that accompanied the presentation of the award is as follows:

“The new William Nelson Park has created an exciting, multi-use recreation hub in the heart of Hastings City, and has quickly been labelled one of the best skate facilities in New Zealand (7 October 2013, Hawke’s Bay Today).

The creation of this open space by the Hastings District Council was characterised by a thorough planning process that put the community at the centre of the decision making process. This process of widespread consultation with stakeholders and the public, the use of social media as a people connecting tool, the employing of top flight designers from the outset and the willingness to follow an iterative process, has led to the creation of a popular urban recreation space.

This project also acknowledges the pioneering efforts of an eminent Hawkes Bay founding father, it recognises the needs of, and responds positively to youth culture, and the design draws on the wider Hawkes Bay landscape in the inclusion of built and planted elements representative of our abundant environment. With these diverse elements integrated into a cohesive urban design, a culturally connected public space has been successfully created.

The Hastings District Council is extremely proud of William Nelson Park, and is grateful to the work of the many partners, who contributed to making it such a success.”

ends

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