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Does Hamilton have enough public space? Is it in the right place?
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To cater for a range of different needs, it is important that our public space is easily accessible, flexible and multi-functional.
What do you think about the public space in your area? Do you have enough? Is it in the right place? Is it easily accessible?
This online discussion forum has concluded. You can still browse the site but the discussion area will no longer accept new comments or votes.
Comment 1 15 Sep 2010, 4:27 PM
Ready access to open spaces enables passive recraeion and physical activity and improves physical and social wellbeing. Encouraging people to incorporate physical activity into their daily routines (e.g. walking or cycling to work or school) reduced our reliance on motor vehicles and traffic congestion in the city.
Public spaces need to be accessible for all, in particular people who are more captive to their local environment where they live for whatever reason (e.g. children or older people -particularly in high need areas) Crawshaw or Grandview for example currently have limited access to public spaces.
If people enjoy and identify with their local neighbourhood they are more likely to engage in community activities and meet and talk with others. If I feel safe in a public public open space I will use it on a regular basis and encourage others to use it.
Easy access to high quality playgrounds are important as for many of us, where we live is not suitable for our children to play.
Comment 2 19 Sep 2010, 9:09 AM
We need more dog parks where you can let your dog run free of the leash in a nice enclosed area. Dey's park is great, we need more parks like it. We heared a rumour that a Hamilton councillor is trying to take Deys park away and turn it in to a children's playground where dogs are not allowed. Definetly won't be voting for that person if we find out who it is!
Dey's park is a neutral ground that is well needed for dogs to socialise and exercise. Our dog used to be quite agressive towards other dogs and nervous more…
Comment 3 22 Sep 2010, 10:58 AM
I completely agree with Mrs Chin. Day's Park is sacred. Somebody like the Riff Raff man should start a process of putting a statue of dogs playing there. I urge Council, however, to set aside part of Claudelands Park and other strategically located reserves for dog exercise. Chasing sticks and tennis balls - and flinging them - is an important part of many lives.
On another note, I think more pocket parks in the model of Union Park would do wonders. Small and local is better than big and central.
Comment 4 23 Sep 2010, 12:01 AM
Hamilton has vast amounts of open space, almost too much in some areas. The key to a good open space is one that is multi-functional, accesible and safe. The open spaces in Hamilton are often parks that are complimentry with new sub-divisions, they are not planned around a need for space or a transport corridor, so they are often used by residents who live within a few hundred metres. I think the council really needs to put consideration into appropriate sizes for open space, consider what the possible different uses are, and try to find something unique about the site that would make this open space different from every other park/playground in the city. I also think Hamilton's garden place fails as an open space, surrounding shops are neglected because of a lack of thoroughfare, the centre city is suffering because there in little connectivity or street quality.
Comment 4.1 28 Oct 2010, 11:27 AM
Green space benefits physical health and wellbeing. Children who have access to safe public open spaces, such as parks and playgrounds are more likely to be physically active and less likely to be overweight which leads to improved health outcomes. Research also suggests the more readily accessible (particularly for those with limited mobility), culturally appropriate, and well connected to streets and amenities public open spaces are, the more they will be used by people (e.g. as part of a journey).
I agree that urban design and land use alignment are important considerations in developing quality public open spaces as is improved connectivity and street quality. Regarding size and use, rather than making all spaces unique/different across the city, the council and we should aim for multipurpose open spaces. We are a growing city with increasing community diversity. The more you provide for a variety of functions (e.g. physical activity, picnic areas, access to the natural environment, children's playground), the more likely the public open space is to be used by different groups of people. Studies show that the the larger the size of the public open space the more likely people are to use it.
Comment 5 22 Oct 2010, 9:04 PM
Green space is great, but why don't we have a comminuty centre like the AC Baths in Taupo? We have a bunch of smaller, less useful pools/centes, but no really great place for family activity indoor. In the winter we hibernate! Adequate pools, climbing walls, fitness facilities etc. Smaller rooms for small groups to rent (for regular activities like quilting etc, or as a one off for birthday parties and reunions). As an avid iceskater, why can't we have an ice arena? Ice skating in winter; inline skating in summer. We drive to Auckland for this and know many others who do the same! Those arenas are packed.
Comment 6 27 Oct 2010, 4:18 PM
While we are not aware of the adequacy or accessibility of open space for the various communities in Hamilton City, it is perhaps likely that the more affluent areas have better access to green spaces as is the case in Auckland (Auckland Regional Public Health Service, 2006). An Australian study (2008) shows that public open spaces in more affluent neighborhoods have more features (e.g. picnic tables, water fountains) that are likely to promote physical activity. Poverty Action Waikato recommends that the council focus on those areas most in need of public open space improvement. These areas are likely to be some lower socio-economic areas with existing poor quality open space. With these and any open-space developments we recommend the involvement of the neighborhood communities themselves in the design so to ensure that the public open spaces are both culturally and locally relevant.
Comment 7 29 Oct 2010, 1:25 AM
We also need to make sure that these spaces are developed in a timely manner, in the recent past the kids have already grown up before the playground has been developed or left the area! we ned to accomodate all ages groups in our parks and open spaces , mum dad, aunty uncle, grandparents, babies, toddlers, teenagers, young adults etc all in the same area, designdesign design. Also play areas can be passive, trees to climb hills to run or slid down etc. Less fences surrounding open spaces, less of parks backing onto residential properties immediately, some seperation so all more…
