WCC, Parks and Recreation Department files

Descriptive Data

Archives Identifier00004Date Range1947-1997DescriptionThis series consists of correspondence files classified using the multiple number subject structure established by the Parks and Recreation Department in 1947. Although the Parks and Recreation Department was established in 1918, it did not have its own filing system and it is assumed that it used the Town Clerks file system. It was not until 1947, with the appointment of Edward Hutt as Director of Parks and Reserves, that a separate departmental filing system was established. The system was used until the establishment of the Culture & Recreation Division in 1991. A new classification system was set up in 1994 and current files still in use were transferred to the new system of filing (see Series 00444). Closed files or files identified as no longer needed for current business were transferred to storage, and make up this series.

The records of the Parks and Recreation Department (under various names) reflect the important role the department has played in the Wellington City Council since its inception. It manages over 100 parks and reserves, which gives it major significance in terms of asset and land management within the wider council sphere. It also has responsibility for over 400 hectares of Town Belt land which has existed as such since 1839. From 1978 it became the Parks and Recreation Department to reflect the increasing role it was playing in promotion of recreation in all forms.

Over its history the department has played a significant social function within the community with its organisation of recreation programmes (such as Summer City) and arts festivals, as well as the provision of grounds and recreation facilities for resident’s recreation needs. Files contain evidence of operational, legislative, financial, and administrative actions of the Parks and Recreation Department and its predecessor agencies. They also document interactions with the wider community, which was significant as the department controlled community spaces and programmes.

The file system consists of the following sub-series:

1/- General files
2/- Staff files
3/- Administration files
4/- Reserves
5/- Town belt
6/- Road reserves and Parks
7/- WCC Nurseries
8/- Beaches and Bays
9/- Childrens Play areas
10/- Croquet Clubs
11/- Golf Links
12/- Tennis Clubs
13/- Bowling Clubs
14/- Skating Rinks
15/- Cemeteries
16/- Swimming Pools
17/- Landscaping Sub-series

20/- onwards relate to parks, reserves and sports grounds. Each site has its own sub-series and within that the files would generally be broken into subjects. The subjects generally covered include: general files, buildings, summer and winter sports. The sequence runs through to 209/-, but some of the more significant sub-series are listed below:

20/- Anderson Park
21/- Basin Reserve
22/- Ben Burn Park
23/- Cashmere Park
24/- Crawford Green
25/- Hataitai Park
26/- Alex Moore Park
27/- Kaiwharawhara Park
28/- Karori Park
29/- Kelburn Park
30/- Kilbirnie Park
31/- Melrose Park
32/- Miramar Park
33/- Miramar Polo Ground
34/- Nairn Street Park
35/- Nairnville Park
36/- Newtown Park
37/- Northland Park
38/- Pirie Street Park
39/- Prince of Wales Park
40/- Martin Luckie Park
41/- Seatoun Park
42/- Tanera Park
43/- Te Aro Park
44/- Vogelmorn Park
45/- Wakefield Park
46/- Western Park
47/- Williams Park (Days Bay)
48/- Emerson Street Park
49/- Macalister Park
50/- Wilton Park
51/- Evans Bay Sports Ground
52/- Rugby League Park
53/- Newlands Park
54/- Mount Albert Park
55/- Sinclair Park
56/- Preston Development (Happy Valley Road)
57/- Raroa Park
58/- Helston Park
59/- Houghton Bay
60/- Botanic Gardens

Correspondence files may cover multiple parts. Large format plans and aerial photographs are usually kept in a ‘plan’ folder separate from the correspondence they relate to. For example there are the following files for the Williams Park Pavilion: 47/2/1 Pt 1 - Williams Park, Lease of Pavilion 47/2/1 Pt 2 - Williams Park, Lease of Pavilion 47/2/1 - Proposed Extension, Days Bay Pavilion, Drawings & PlansQuantity (Linear Metres)53.95MediumFileSystem of ArrangementMultiple number subject filesCollection TypeWellington City Council

Series

WCC, Parks and Reserves reports

WCC, Culture and Recreation Division files

Access Information

Restriction StatusOpen

Related Agencies

Controlling or Creating AgencyParks and RecreationRelationship Date Range1978-

Related Series

Related SeriesWCC, Parks and Reserves reports

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WCC, Parks and Recreation Department files