Newspaper Article – Move to name park after pioneering businessman

Move to name park after pioneering businessman

The new 6000sq m skatepark in Hastings could be named after one of the city’s founding fathers.

Hastings District Council meets today to decide whether the park, bounded by St Aubyn St, Avenue Rd and King St, should be named William Nelson Park.

The family of Mr Nelson approached the council following the sale of the original Nelson Park in Hastings and requested his legacy to the district be recognised by the naming of a park in his honour.

Relative Margaret Walmsley of Havelock North said the family was pleased with the proposal to name the inner city park after her grandfather.

“Family members are delighted with the proposal that the inner city park may be named after William Nelson. It would be a fitting tribute to a man who gave an enormous amount of time and energy during the early days of the development of Hastings district.”

She said it would be appropriate the city park be named after her great-grandfather as it was close to the original Nelson Park and was likely to be the largest park developed by council in the CBD.

William Nelson (1843-1932) was born in Warwickshire, England, and came to New Zealand in 1863. He began working with his brother at Kereru, a sheep run belonging to their cousin J N Williams. He formed a partnership with his brother Fred, cousin J N Williams and Nelson Bros Limited (England) to manufacture tallow in Hastings and opened the Tomoana plant in 1881.

He founded Heretaunga School in 1882 (now Hereworth) and was also part of a group which established Woodford House School.

Waikoko Gardens in the Hawke’s Bay Showgrounds is part of the property which was purchased in 1884 for the construction of the Nelson homestead.

Mr Nelson was a generous benefactor and helped create employment and wealth for Hawke’s Bay.