Taylor and Moore parks, Milton
2012-2025
More than a decade ago, Milton Area Promotions in association with the Clutha District Council, began to develop Moore Park in Spenser Street, Milton, which began with the building of a toilet block in 2012.
Over the next 10 years, thousands of volunteer hours, and the generosity of the Milton community were poured into rejuvenating the park. This resulted in a new skate park and cycle track at the Council-owned park, which officially opened in 2017. A flying fox was also added.
In 2025, Project Bruce, another organisation that Council collaborates with, got behind the establishment of the Moore Park Pump Track (pictured) on the flat section on the Abercrombie Street side of Moore Park to add to the child-focused activities, and provide a cycling option for adults.
See media:
Cycle track nearly ready | Otago Daily Times Online News
Milton celebrates community initiative in Moore Park project | Stuff
Moore Park Pump Track | Project Bruce
Background
At the beginning of the Moore Park development, an off-leash dog park in the northern corner of the park was also planned, but it was decided the area was too small after the park upgrade was completed. Milton Area Promotions began to cast about for another project on another Council-owned reserve, Taylor Park in Milton, to establish a dog park.
Having created a community asset for humans at Moore Park, Milton Area Promotion hoped to replicate that for the canine residents of Milton and their humans so that four-legged friends had another play option.
Milton Dog Park
The old tennis court site at Taylor Park was deemed a suitable spot, so the group set to, to gauge interest and get support from the community and Council to further the project. Provision for a dog park was included in the Greater Taylor Park Reserve Management Plan and Council welcomed the opportunity to work with the group to continue to develop this project with local support.
Met with great with great enthusiasm for the project, the group got advice from the builders of the Centennial Park Dog Park, before making a submission to Council's 2024-34 Long Term Plan towards funding for the $80,000 project. Council approved funding of $30,000 for the development of a dog park at Taylor Park, and an additional $2,500 and $1,000 to install and maintain an extra rubbish bin, from the 2025 Annual Plan.
As well as their own fundraising efforts, the group also obtained a grant from the Otago Community Trust (OCT) of $12,720, towards several elements of the town’s new dog park. They also received $15,000 from Clutha Vets and $1,950 from Calder Stewart staff.
Milton Area Promotions committee member Kay Partridge said the group was delighted to also receive $1,550 from Creative Communities and $500 from the Milton Op Shop.
There were a few challenges along the way, including the need to remove the concrete base beneath the old tarmac surface of the tennis courts, which involved taking 49 truckloads of rubble out, and 56 of topsoil in, moved by Andrew Haulage 2011 Limited, and seeding the 60m by 90m area with grass.
Ms Partridge paid tribute to the 108 working bee volunteers, and donors including Colin Calteaux and Andrew Clark for the topsoil.
The park, in use since Spring 2025, has been enhanced by a dog-themed mural (pictured) from local artist Alice Muir. It has a dog shower, solar lighting, and separate areas for big and small dogs. A fun agility area is to be installed early in 2026, which was delayed because of the October weather event.
Parking is provided beside the Toko Rugby Club grandstand.
Clutha District Council community plan implementation project manager Adam Robertson said it was a good example of a community project where all elements had come together to make a successful whole.
"We’ve got a dedicated community group leading the project, with council’s guidance and funding, local contractors’ generosity, and fulfilling an identified community need.
"The Balclutha Dog Park has been very well used, so we expect Milton residents and those passing on State Highway1 will make the most of this facility, too."
