2011-2012 Annual Report - Full Version - PDF - Palmerston North ...

Parks and RecreationLeisureWhat the Council DoesActivity - Parks and RecreationWhat the Council doesThe Council’s parks and recreation assets fall intothree main areas. These are detailed below.Sportsfields, Parks,Reserves and WalkwaysThe Council has 172 City-wide and local reservesand sportsfields, ranging in size from 100m 2 , to the176 hectare Kahuterawa Outdoor Recreation Hub.The total area is about 642 hectares, or about 8hectares per 1,000 people. There are also 58 km ofwalkways, cycleways and shared paths in reserves.The Council provides facilities like cycle stands, carparking and public toilets at major sportsfields.The sportsfields can be used for open space bythe community when organised sport is not beingplayed.Arena ManawatuThe Council maintains and administers ArenaManawatu for the citizens of Palmerston North andsurrounding districts for recreation and sportingpurposes. It consists of the FMG Stadium, Arena2, B&M Centre, Arena 3 and Arena 5 (WaldegraveLounge, Bell and Barber Halls).Swimming PoolsThe Council owns the Lido and Freyberg swimmingpools. These are managed for the Council byCommunity Leisure Management Ltd. The Lidoconsists of three outdoor pools, four indoor pools,a hydroslide and gymnasium.Public toilets are also managed within this Activity.There are 66 public toilets provided by the Councilaround the City. These are mostly at parks andsportsfields.The Council develops and implements assetmanagement plans, which include parks andrecreation facilities, to ensure that these assetscan deliver reliable services to existing andfuture customers in the most cost effective andsustainable way.The Council provides funding to Sport Manawatuso it can act as a regional sports, recreationand events coordinator. Sport Manawatu alsodistributes Council funds for sports and recreation.The Council also provides funding through rentalsubsidies and rates remissions for a wide range ofrecreation groups.Why the Council does this and itscontribution to Council vision andmajor goalsThis Activity contributes to Council’s goals ofbeing a city where people want to live because ofits recreational opportunities (e.g. the Arena, parksand reserves, sportsfields and swimming pools).People want to live in a place that has lots of funthings for them and their families to do, either ina formal or informal way. Parks, trees and openspaces also make the City a more attractive placeto live and make it more attractive to visitors.The Council’s parks and recreation facilities alsohelp people keep fit and healthy.Sport Manawatu also distributesCouncil funds for sports andrecreation. The Council alsoprovides funding through rentalsubsidies and rates remissions for awide range of recreation groups.The Council engages in the distribution of grantsand contracts with various organisations in orderto meet the ultimate goal in the Regional Sportand Active Recreation Strategy: “to increase thetotal time and frequency that people are active”.The Activity also contributes to the Council’sgoal of environmental sustainability. It does thisby providing green space throughout the City.These spaces enhance environmental values andbiodiversity by increasing the amount and varietyof trees, plants and birdlife in the City. They alsoenhance sustainable approaches to transportsuch as walking and cycling. As well, these areasallow for sustainable drainage systems such asstormwater ponding areas. The Council alsominimises the use of chemicals on its sportsfields,reserves and walkways.74 Palmerston North City Council Annual Report 2011/12