Founders Park

This reserve is is located in the north eastern area of Matamata and 1.2148 hectares in size. It is bounded to the north by Manawa Street, to the south by Rawhiti Avenue, to the east by Ngaio Street and to the west by Tawari Street. The reserve is mainly flat with a circular feature garden. A waterfall cascades from the top of the garden over a terraced waterway into two ponds at ground level. There is also a footpath that leads across the Park as well as a number of rest and picnic areas. A large collection of mature native and exotic trees are spread throughout the Park, these include Podocarpus totara, Agathisaustralis, Sophoratetraptera, Magnolia grandiflora, Meliaazedarach, Idesiapolycarpa, Gingko biloba, Acer palmatum, Liquidamber styraciflua and Eucalyptus spp. Founders Park is in the Residential zone of the Operative District Plan, and is identified as a Reserve. History The Park is named after the founders of Matamata and is maintained by the Founders Park Society in conjunction with Council. The Society is a voluntary organisation involved in many development and maintenance projects completed on the Park. This includes the circular garden designed by Desmond Periam and built in 1989 by both the Founders Park Society and the Matamata Lions Club. Leech Quarry donated the split stone used for this project. During 1993 the Kate Sheppard garden was established as part of Women's Suffrage Year. Then in 1999 a new entrance to the Park was built along Rawhiti Street facing Arawa Street, in co-ordination with the Arawa Streetscape.  The existing Founders Park sign has been reused and the original plough is displayed. Founders Park is a popular venue for weddings - contact us to make a booking!