Proposal to name skate+park after a city forefather
Date: August 20th, 2012
Council to discuss proposal to name skate+park after a city forefather
Hastings’ new inner city park
may be named after one of the city’s great forefathers,
William Nelson
The 6000m2 Skate+Park, which is bounded by St Aubyn Street, Avenue Road and King Street, may become known as William Nelson Park following a Hastings District Council meeting this Thursday. The family of William Nelson had approached council following the sale of the original Nelson Park, and requested that his legacy to the district be recognised by the naming of a park in his honour.
Margaret Walmsley of Havelock North is the granddaughter of William Nelson. She says “Family members are delighted with the proposal that the inner city park may be named after William Nelson. It would be a fitting tribute to a man who gave an enormous amount of time and energy during the early days of the development of Hastings District.”
Margaret Walmsley says “It would be appropriate that the inner city park be named after her great grandfather as it is in close proximity to the original location of Nelson Park and is likely to be the largest park developed by council in the CBD.”
William
Nelson (1843–1932) was born in Warwickshire, England, and
came to New Zealand in 1863. He began working with his
brother at Kereru, a sheep run belonging to their cousin J N
Williams. He formed a partnership with his brother Fred,
cousin J N Williams and Nelson Bros Limited (England) to
manufacture tallow in Hastings and opened the Tomoana plant
in 1881
He founded Heretaunga School in 1882 (now
Hereworth) and was also part of a group which established
Woodford House School. Waikoko Gardens in the Hawke’s Bay
Showgrounds is part of the property which was purchased in
1884 for the construction of the Nelson
homestead.
William Nelson’s lasting legacy is his
generosity as a benefactor, and the creation of employment
and wealth through the Tomoana Freezing Works, which helped
build the economic prosperity of Hastings in the late 1800s
and early 1900s. Upon his death many acknowledged him as
“The Father of Hawke’s Bay” in recognition of his
contribution to the whole province.
The recommendation to name the Skate+ Park, William Nelson Park will be put before a full council meeting on Thursday 23rd August 2012.
ENDS