Catherine Stewart Tauranga City Councillor

Have you discovered all the parks and reserves in the Tauranga region?

The Tauranga City Council website has a map where you can click on to see what parks are in your neighbourhood.

Last week I walked to Faulkner Park, off Waihi Road, and down a pathway to Birch Avenue, Judea.

The park was named after Eric Lees Faulkner, who was an elected member of Tauranga City Council from 1966 and mayor from 1977 to 1980.

Gordon Carmichael Reserve, off Millers Road, is popular for walking, cycling and enjoying the playground. A variety of birds can be viewed from the pathways.

McLaren Falls Park is worth the 10 minute drive from Barkes Corner. Bring a picnic or visit the cafe. The park is a beautiful setting with 170ha of trees, pathways and roading.

Memorial Park is a popular destination, especially on Sundays when the miniature train is operating.

Robbins Park is a short walk from the CBD. The rose gardens are stunning in the summer. Visit the Tropical Flower House while you are there.Yatton Park at Greerton has some of the oldest trees in the City.

Tauranga Parks in the wider district include:

Omanawa Falls Park, which is owned and managed by Tauranga City Council.

Huharua Harbour Park and TECT All Terrain Park are sub-regional parks jointly managed by Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Tauranga City Council.

Papamoa Hills Regional Park is owned and managed by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

A statistic from council's website – there is one park bench for every 140 people in the city.

I would like to see more signs around the city to tell the history of Tauranga Moana. This would benefit locals and visitors alike.