FULFILLING HAMILTON’S POTENTIAL TOGETHER INTRODUCTION Hamilton provides many opportunities for residents, visitors and for New Zealand as a whole. Creating an even more family-friendly city is at the heart of our future. We want to build on the great assets we have, place value on our urban garden, encourage activity and celebrate our unique lifestyle. The five strategic plans that follow in this document will change Hamilton and our reputation nationally and globally. We invite you to be a part of that. Working together with organisations, companies and individuals, we believe we can fulfil Hamilton’s potential. 1 2 The River Plan THE RIVER Hamiltonians are passionate about WHY ARE THESE PROJECTS IMPORTANT? THE RIVER PLAN PROJECTS the Waikato River. It has long • For decades Hamiltonians have wanted to • Transforming the Pukete pedestrian bridge been recognised as a remarkable see the river become the heart of our city into a flower garden bridge with connections and to have a plan to achieve this to the north, along Te Awa River Ride natural asset and a defining • The river is an integral part of Hamilton’s • Creating Hamilton’s premier river feature of our city. identity and history destination at Ferrybank with hospitality, • To realise the river as an asset for everyone recreation, commercial activity and a The River Plan is the first to use and enjoy, it needs to be made pedestrian bridge time Hamilton will have a available and accessible • Completing the upper promenade comprehensive strategy to • The river has huge untapped potential for walkway between Victoria Bridge and Claudelands Bridge transform the way we use and visitor and tourism opportunities • Embracing the river marks our coming of • A sculpture walkway beside the river in the view the 16km of Waikato River age as a city. The River Plan presents a central city running through the city. rare opportunity to realise a vision that will • Creating the city’s best beach through benefit Hamiltonians now, as well as the the installation of an accessible in-river Over the next 30 years the River generations to come. swimming feature and other public amenity improvements at Wellington Street Beach/ Plan projects will make the river a Hayes Paddock. real part of our everyday lives. 3 “Tooku awa koiora me oona pikonga he kura tangihia o te maataamuri. The River of Life, each curve more beautiful than the last.” Playgrounds PLAYGROUNDS OF THE FUTURE Hamilton is a city for families and WHY IS THIS PROJECT IMPORTANT? PLAYGROUND PROJECTS as Hamilton’s population grows, • Our communities have asked for • Dominion Park so will our population of young playgrounds that are safe and attractive with • Hamilton Gardens facilities that provide a day-out experience • Te Huia Drive Reserve people. That means it’s even more for the family • Hillcrest Park important for our children to have • As a growth city, Hamilton’s higher-density a safe, green space to play - one living is increasing and needs to be • Glenview Park that is fun and challenging. complemented by accessible, family-friendly • Bremworth Park green spaces • Te Manatu Park The city currently has five destination • Hamilton’s destination playgrounds will • Porritt Stadium playgrounds at Hamilton Lake Domain, be unique in New Zealand and promote • Ashurst Park Parana Park, Claudelands Park, Tauhara Park Hamilton’s reputation as a family city • Moonlight Drive Reserve. and Minogue Park. We plan to have 15 • Destination playgrounds are community destination playgrounds across Hamilton by spaces that encourage more activity and 2030. neighbourhood engagement. Destination playgrounds are different to traditional playgrounds. With creative and sustainable equipment, they are designed to be fun and challenging. We will provide toilets, shade, seating and drinking fountains so families can play all day. 5 utstan r O din ne g n 5 i 1 0 R W 2 e s d e r a a r c w h A P y la lic nn o ing and P The new Playgrounds Plan has been developed to create better playgrounds around Hamilton providing quality and unique experiences for families 6 The Gardens’ Plan THE GARDENS Hamilton Gardens is one of our WHY IS THIS PROJECT IMPORTANT? THE GARDENS’ PROJECTS city’s biggest success stories and • Hamilton Gardens is the most visited tourist • Tudor Garden (opened in January 2015) the award-winning International attraction in the Waikato with approximately • Lawn Court one million visits each year Garden of the Year in 2014. • Carpark extension • The Gardens contributes to growing the • Destination Playground Waikato’s billion-dollar tourism industry • Concept Garden and Tarot Court Over the past 30 years the • It is estimated this project will pay for itself community, local trusts and the in three years and it will generate $14.5 • Information Centre Council have worked to transform million per year from tourism activity • Mansfield Garden this former rubbish site into a • The Gardens host hundreds of events every • Picturesque Garden and Maze Court year including the renowned Hamilton • River jetty below the Italian Renaissance world-class garden. Now we plan Gardens Arts Festival Garden to create even more gardens with • The Gardens continues to gain global • Surrealist Garden our new Gardens’ Plan. recognition, which includes winning the • Increased security measures. International Garden of the Year in 2014 • The team at Hamilton Gardens are experts To do this, rate payers are paying a and have consistently created outstanding $10 targeted rate over four years. gardens. We know they can deliver. We’re also seeking government funding and support from funders and sponsors. 7 “The concept is, by far, the most exciting I have seen in my 20 year career as a researcher in the field of garden tourism. The vision is indeed unique Destination Playground in the world and visually spectacular.” Professor Richard Benfield / Central State University / World authority on garden tourism 8 Italian Renaissance Garden River Jetty Mansfield Garden The Biking Plan CREATING A BIKE FRIENDLY CITY The most modern and motor WHY IS THIS PROJECT IMPORTANT? THE BIKING PLAN PROJECTS vehicle-dependent cities around • A strong bike culture makes for a healthier, • Western Rail Trail the world are experiencing more active population • Te Awa River Ride South a biking revolution. Bikes are • A connected off-road bike network is safe • Hukanui/Peachgrove Road School link and makes biking accessible for everyone a cheap, healthy and • Minogue Park Bridge • Hamilton’s flat environment gives us a • University route environmentally friendly option natural advantage in becoming a bike- friendly city • Wairere Drive between The Base for transport and recreation. and Wintec • Connecting to the Te Awa River Ride • Te Awa River Ride - widen Hamilton provides a great opportunity to grow Hamilton’s Biking Plan will river path Hamilton’s visitor reputation. contribute to a more attractive • Resolution Drive link to Waikato Expressway and liveable city for families. • State Highway 3 cycleway • A network of biking facilities on bike routes including drinking fountains, seats and bike parking. 9 Our 30 year Biking Plan will make biking safe, easy and visible; encouraging more people to bike more often in Hamilton 10 Hamilton Zoo CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH WILDLIFE EXPERIENCES Hamilton Zoo is the second WHY IS THIS PROJECT IMPORTANT? HAMILTON ZOO PROJECTS largest in New Zealand and a • The Zoo project will contribute to Hamilton’s • Attractive entrance, café, function centre well-loved community asset with urban garden and a new play area a reputation for quality visitor • It will provide experiences and education • A Challenge Zone physical course on the natural world, conservation and • The Waterhole Camp, for overnight experience, conservation and sustainability safari experiences education. But its full potential is • The developments proposed for the Zoo will • New animal encounters and educational not yet realised. raise its reputation as a visitor destination experiences. • The Zoo will continue to champion animal The Zoo Masterplan is a new wellbeing and conservation of plants approach for Hamilton’s Zoo. and wildlife. It will propel the Zoo into the next stage of its evolution - as a destination for Hamiltonians and visitors seeking fun, interactive and memorable experiences with wildlife from around the world. 11 “One place can make a difference. Four can change the whole conversation.” The Zoo, Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park, Hamilton Gardens and the Waikato River. 12 PARTNERING TOGETHER With your help, we can make Hamilton truly extraordinary. Our visionary projects have lots of potential. All we need are people who can share that vision. We look forward to talking to you soon, about how you can be involved in these exciting projects and help shape the future of Hamilton. Julie Hardaker Mayor of Hamilton 13 The future of Hamilton, the Waikato, and its people, is in our hands. 14 For more information please contact: Her Worship Mayor Julie Hardaker Email: [email protected] Telephone: 07 838 6976 Find out more at: hamilton.govt.nz.