The plans involve restoration and development of a visitors' interpretation centre, the park museum - which holds farm and household memorabilia - as well as adding another classroom. The visitors' toilets will be upgraded and a kitchen built for volunteers.
The Bushy Park Sanctuary website said the project was designed to return the stables to their former glory.
"The stables are an integral and important part of Bushy Park history.
"They represent and record the homestead's operations from 1906 onwards (the date of construction)."
The website says it illustrates a critical transition in history between horse transport and motor vehicles and contains a "very useful collection of tools and plant items relating to the 1900s".
The upgrades follow a successful year for the park after the opening of the Bushy Park Wetlands by Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae in May. This included a new boardwalk and amphitheatre (outdoor classroom).
Mrs Tennet said support from the Whanganui Department of Conservation had also reduced the effect of rats on hihi (stitchbird) breeding numbers in the summer compared to past years.
"Recent hihi monitoring has thankfully shown the rats had little effect on the summer hihi breeding season, with at least 25 chicks being counted and monitored."
Mrs Tennet said a winter poison programme was still in place to kill all remaining rats.
Anyone willing to donate to the Bushy Park Trust should contact Clare Raisin on 06 345 6552 or 027 509 2333, email cgraisin10@hotmail.com or go to the Bushy Park website.
