Victoria Park Reserve Management Plan (RMP)

Although the following actions do not represent a financial commitment by Council, they have been approved in principle as part of the Victoria Park Reserve Management Plan under the Reserves Act 1977, and are subject to further consideration and deliberation through future Annual and Long-Term Plan processes.

Action Plan

Status Quo 2024 – 2034 LTP; P1 – Priority for 2027 – 2037 LTP; P2 – Priority for 2030 – 2040 LTP

On Tuesday 26 August, Council's Policy and Services Committee heard and deliberated on submissions received from the consultation on the empty green space next to the Stratford Bike Park.

There were 81 responses to the consultation carried out in June 2025, and a summary of these is outlined below (as well as in the Decision Report here):

• 46% wanted the Green Space left alone as Green Space
• 20% wanted an extension to the bike park
• 12% wanted a splash area
• 11% wanted a fenced dog park
• 20% wanted Council to develop the space into something else for the general public
• 8% wanted other activities in the Green Space
• 2% supported the Stratford Croquet’s exclusive use of the space.

Following deliberation Elected Members approved the Victoria Park Reserve Management Plan (RMP) with no changes to the existing green space.

The final RMP and minutes from this meeting will be adopted at the Council's Ordinary Meeting on 9 September 2025.

What happens next?

The RMP acts as a guide for Council in making both day-to-day decisions as well as long term decisions about how the reserve is used, managed or developed. It contains the overall vision for the reserve as well as the objectives, policies, and actions needed.

Within the RMP there is a list of priority actions and projects for the future. Some of these are part of our current Long Term Plan 2024-34 and others will form discussions for future Long Term Plans and Annual Plans. You can view the list of proposed actions here.

We're interested to know a bit more about one section of Victoria Park before we finalise the RMP...

Following the review and consultation of the draft Victoria Park Reserve Management Plan, and in response to submissions received, we’ve extended our consultation to seek further feedback on the use of one section of Victoria Park (see image below).

We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to comment.

You can share your views through any of the below methods by 3 July 2025:

• Complete this online form
• Email submissions@stratford.govt.nz
• Provide a written response to Council at 63 Miranda Street, Stratford or by posting to Asset Director, Stratford District Council, PO Box 320, Stratford

Green space at Victoria Park (corner of Regan and Cordelia Streets):

Download the map here.

Six submissions were received as part of the consultation process held over February and March 2025.

Key submission points included the following:

• Green space use.Three feedback requests were received that compete for using the green space at the north/east corner of the park.
  • Addition of dirt jumps in or around the pump track (Submission No.1) - Suggestion to add dirt jumps to the pump track and skate park as bikers are learning more and more they are not finding the parks very fun anymore.
  • Relocation of Stratford Croquet Club (Submissions No.2 and No.5) - The Stratford Croquet Club wishes to increase the number of courts from 2 to a minimum of three. To achieve this, they will need to relocate.
• Collaboration with Sports Clubs (Submission No.4) - Council received feedback from two sports clubs, Stratford Croquet Club and Stratford Eltham Rugby Sports Club (SERSC), and Sport Taranaki. SERSC asked if the upgrade of field 2 drainage is still planned. Detailed design is underway with the physical works programmed for the 2025/26 financial year. Officers will liaise with SERSC and the Stratford Cricket Club to minimise the disruption of field usage during the works.
• Ongoing collaboration with Sport Taranaki (Submission No.6). - In July 2023, Sport Taranaki, with support from their strategic partners, updated the Collaborating for Active Spaces & Place Strategy for the Taranaki District. The Strategy considers spaces and places that support active recreation, and play alongside sport, seeks to explore mana enhancing relationships with mana whenua, and considers the role the Strategy can play in advocating for better environmental outcomes. Council is a strategic partner with Sport Taranaki for sport and recreation in Taranaki. In response to this submission officers recommend including a new Section 1.5 in the RMP, for review and approval by Elected Members.

View the Decision Report on the draft Victoria Park RMP, including the full submissions received in the April Policy and Services Committee meeting agenda, page 8 onwards).

Proposed level of service

Proposed action plan

Status Quo = Ongoing, part of current 2024-34 Long Term Plan
P1 = Priority for 2027-37 Long Term Plan
P2 = Priority for 2030-40 Long Term Plan