Editorial: Benefits of Nelson Park sale being seen

Nelson Park was a treasured part of the region's sporting past so it was understandable that there was opposition to the sale of this endowed land by the Hastings District Council in 2008.
Yet there is good evidence that the money from the Nelson Park sale is being used to benefit the community. The encouraging work being done in creating green spaces around the city may even have found favour with the original givers of the land.
Developers Charter Hall paid $18.6 million for Nelson Park, the result of which has been two large infrastructure projects for the region.
We now have a regional sports park shaping up to be a first-class facility even without the hoped-for North Island velodrome. Employment was created as a result of the sports park development and the land no longer required for the velodrome will no doubt, in time, present another opportunity.
The Charter Hall development itself is fast taking shape on Karamu Rd and no matter what your opinion of big-box retail, there is no denying the fact that it creates an economic stimulus. There are jobs in the construction and there will be jobs in the retail sector.
Also from the sale of Nelson Park came a $3 million greenspace fund for Hastings and we are now seeing the fruits of that fund.
The first small "pocket park", Landmarks Square, has been developed on Warren St and it really is a delightful space on the south side of the CBD.
Those who doubt the wisdom of the Nelson Park sale should take a look at Landmarks Square. Its feature wall, industrial-steel shade structure, paved, grassed and planted areas, plus lighting, public seating and a water fountain makes for a classy urban addition, an open space any modern city would be proud of. There is a lot to like about it, particularly the fact it is so well laid out and open to all; an example of democratic urban design.
There is more to come for we know that the council has also used money from the greenspace fund to buy a 6000sq m swathe of cleared land opposite the Hastings RSA on the corner of Avenue Rd West and King St North.
This significant block of land will be developed into what the council terms "passive" park facilities, a children's playground and a skate facility for youth.
If this project is done with as much style as Landmarks Square, it has the capacity to transform an ugly slab of central city land into an asset for all.