Parks Study Tour

NZRA runs annual study tours in the parks sector.

The theme-based study tours examine parks' issues including technical, planning, project management, engagement and end-user considerations, along with ongoing operational and management application strategies. Tours provide a sound base of information so that informed decisions can be made at all stages of project development. For details on the 2011 tour, see below.

The proposed tour for March 2012 is based around play and playspaces. Anyone interested in receiving information on this tour should contact jude@nzrecreation.org.nz

Parks Study Tour 2011 - Artificial Grass Surfaces & Climate Change Management of Parks, Gardens and Street Trees

This tour took place in March 2011 with 17 delegates.

Peter Harding Article (PDF)

Delegate Feedback

'Thank you so much for the excellent planning and organising whilst on tour, it was a full agenda and went incredible smoothly. The content was spot on with the added bonus of linking in with P&L.To the rest of the team, thank you for your company, it was a privilege to be with a group of parks professionals who also like to have a good time'

"I certainly appreciated the amount of information and different examples of artificial turf + the other parks related matters that were discussed and new contacts made"

"It was one of the best tours for information and experience that many of us had been on and I would certainly like to second"

"I thought it was a great trip. Excellent content and good company. Congratulations to NZRA for putting it together"

"Was a brilliant way of learning and networking and our industry will benefit from what NZRA have done"

"It certainly was a great experience and nicely linked into the PLA programme. It was nice to meet all of you on the tour, I am sure that we will meet up again (reunion trip I think, maybe a trip to Las Vegas next time to look at their art turf!!).

Tour Concepts

Internationally, and in NZ, parks managers and owners are acutely aware of the growing trend towards artificial surfaces, and water management strategies; whether it be to better cope with demand/space and/or to cope with too much/too little water.

Wellington City Council is the first council in New Zealand to have put in place a strategic policy shifting to artificial surfacing as a solution to space, management and weather conditions. A month or so ago the first game of premier rugby was played on one of their new the surfaces. This was a major shift from traditional sport on artificial such as kid's soccer and hockey, but is certainly an indicator of more to come.Whilst awareness of the potential benefit of artificial is high, knowledge and confidence in the surfaces available, asset management impact, and the management of community/sports body culture shift (shock) is sparse. This study tour examined the issue from all angles.. the good the bad and the ugly! The tour offered organisations everything needed to make informed choices on whether to install artificial, or stay with natural grass alternatives.

Plus

Climate change implications for planning and management of sports parks, amenity parks and street trees is also a key issue in New Zealand.  Sports grounds and parks are increasingly being utilized for water retention and recycling and for flood reservoirs. The issues being addressed by Melbourne are equally relevant here in New Zealand. The tour looked at the technologies and strategies being used to best manage both water shortage and excess 

Tour Schedule  (PDF)