Masterton’s Queen Elizabeth Park is one of three finalists for the Kiwi Choice section of the Keep New Zealand Beautiful Awards, and Mayor Gary Caffell isn’t surprised.
“It brings a lot of people to Masterton,” he said.
Describing it as a real gem, Caffell has “real pride for our park”.
The Beautiful Awards are one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s longest-running sustainability awards, having been an annual event since 1972.
The awards aim to inspire, recognise, and acknowledge those who work passionately to keep our country beautiful.
Masterton will be going up against Napier City Floral Clock and Taupō’s Te Ātea lakefront.
The winner will be announced on November 9.
Other award categories include Most Beautiful Towns & Cities, Best Street, and Best Loo.
No towns in Wairarapa are finalists for the Best Loo award.
“I can’t say that I’m terribly surprised,” Caffell said.
“I think our park would probably be a bit superior to our loos.”
Though he doesn’t plan to try win the Best Loo award next year, Caffell said, “Maybe we’ll have to encourage more people to use them.”
Queen Elizabeth Park [formerly known as Masterton Park] was established in 1878 and renamed after a visit by the queen in 1954.
The park is also a recipient of a Green Flag Award, which is a global scheme that recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces worldwide.
