Parks and  Reserves

Your Parks, Your Trees 

There are approximately 2000ha of parks and reserves in the Thames-Coromandel district, one of the most scenic areas in New Zealand due to its dramatic topography and coastline, its native forests, and its relaxed coastal settlements.

Parks and reserves are an essential element of this character, providing important opportunities for active recreation, coastal/stream access and enjoyment, dog walking and other passive recreation, as well as a general sense of open space.

Reserve Management Plans provide direction for the day-to-day management of reserves and the factors that impact upon these reserves, and they establish clear directions for their future management and development, where appropriate.

They provide a basis for assigning priorities in work on reserves and budgeting, and they contain information on the historical and cultural significance of your community’s land.

Individual reserve plans are being drafted for each settlement and have already been adopted for Thames reserves, Tairua-Pauanui reserves and Coromandel-Colville reserves.

Trees play an important role in maintaining the character of the district, and in Thames-Coromandel this includes iconic species such as the kauri and rewarewa of the mountains to the pohutukawa, puriri and nikau of the coastal forest.

A district tree strategy covers all public trees in each area and reinforces the amenities and natural values of each settlement. The strategy sets out design master-planning, species selection, maintenance and protection.

Individual Tree Master Plans guide Council’s tree selection for your reserves, as well as for the entries into town and other important road side areas. So far there has been wide community input and consultation to produce a Tairua Tree Master plan, a Whangamata Tree Master plan and a Pauanui Tree Masterplan.

These plans identify trees that contribute to the particular settlement’s character and ensure certain species are used for all future plantings. This unifies areas of town, and serves to embrace and enhance local character.

Trees on Council land that are known to have historic significance will be identified and possibly placed on a Historic Tree register. There is provision in the current District Plan for private property owners to nominate Notable Trees on their property for inclusion in the Tree Register.

A Local Residential Planting scheme allows property owners who would like to have trees planted in their street to initiate their proposal by offering a financial contribution for local residential planting. The contribution may cover the cost of purchasing, installation, and an 18-month maintenance period, all of which will be undertaken by Council staff. Ongoing tree maintenance will also be Council’s responsibility.