Council have approved the concept design for Aspen Reserve, which will see the inner city park on the corner of Willow and McLean streets transformed into a green space for everyone to enjoy.

The concept for Aspen Reserve is for a green, relaxing open space with casual seating and shade, and space for small, intimate events.

The concept design recognises the cultural and historical significance of the site by incorporating feedback from Mana Whenua into the design and retaining historical features, for example keeping the historic stone wall on the Willow Street edge.

The design also allows for the café/restaurant in The Reserve building, which is under construction on the corner of Harington and Willow streets, to open out onto Aspen Reserve.

'We know that from the community open days and feedback on how people wanted to see the reserve developed, that they wanted it to be a green, relaxing environment that can be used for events. They also wanted more seating and shade, and for us to integrate arts and culture into the redeveloped site,” says Mayor Greg Brownless.

'When you look at the concept design, I would like to think that we have listened to what the community would like to see happen to the space. I look forward to the next steps and seeing this space come to life for nearby residents, visitors and workers in the city centre.”

City Transformation Committee Chair Larry Baldock says in February Council identified Aspen Reserve as a priority project for open space upgrades in the city centre, as part of the Heart of the City programme.

'We also recognised it in the Tauranga City Centre Spatial Framework as an opportunity to develop outdoor amenity and pockets parks the city centre, and to recognise the reserve's history and connection from the harbour to the waterfront."

It is estimated that the detailed design would be completed by March 2018 and construction would be completed in June 2018.

The estimated construction cost for the upgrade is $500,000, which is part of the existing city streetscape investment fund.