Discover our Parks winner shares grand prize

Ward, who entered the competition at the Russell Square Discover our Parks event in March, shared her prize with her husband Joshua, friend Tam Bell, and Tam’s son Ben, 3.

Hayley said Tam had convinced her to attend the Russell Square event, so she was pleased to have been able to share her private tour of the Animal Reserve with Tam and Ben.

Her favourite animals had been the rabbits, while Ben was particularly impressed by Nandy the goat.

The group were able to enter the animal enclosures and hand feed them, including goats, sheep, rabbits, and turtles.

Hayley said she would love to see more events like Discover our Parks run by Council.

“It was great to get out and about and learn more about our parks system,” she said.

Discover our Parks was the first time Council’s Parks and Recreation team had offered such a large scale of events – with an event at a different park every day for a week during Parks Week.

The central theme for Discover our Parks was to encourage residents and visitors to get out and about and meet Parks and Recreation rangers, at some of the most treasured green spaces in the city and in Bluff.

Parks and Environmental Reserves Team Leader Kate Gough said the rangers loved engaging with the public, and hoped to be able to more of this in future.

“Sharing the Animal Reserve with Hayley, her husband, and her friends was very rewarding, and a wonderful time was had by all – including the animals who got some extra treats for putting on such a great show,” Kate said.

Keep an eye out for more exciting initiatives from the Parks and Recreation team, and more opportunities to have your say and enjoy Invercargill’s parks and green spaces.