Connecting residents through nature, wellbeing, and community-focused open space.

Olive Estate Lifestyle Village is a premier lifestyle village nestled near central Richmond, Nelson. Since construction began in 2013, the village has grown through 15 stages of continuous development, establishing itself as one of the region's most sought-after communities. We've been involved in the design throughout this journey, with Central Park envisioned as a tranquil green heart, offering residents a peaceful connection through the centre of the village.

The village was designed to break away from conventional retirement living by creating a community-oriented environment shaped by a landscape-led vision. A green network weaves throughout the site, fostering connection, well-being, and a strong sense of place, with Central Park serving as the heart of this vision.

Client

Olive Estate

Location

Nelson Tasman

Worked with

Davis Ogilvie
Fulton Hogan
Luke Porter
Mike Verrall
New Vision Landscaping
Scott Construction
Weir Architects

Project date

2022 - 2025

The client sought to continue the landscape-led approach already established across the site. Central Park, a key element of our broader masterplan, played a pivotal role in extending the green network toward the southern end of the development. They valued our expertise in delivering a seamless, integrated design, ensuring Central Park was celebrated as a vibrant, central feature of the village.

Central Park was envisioned as a vibrant green corridor that supports both pedestrian movement and active or passive recreation, while promoting community, wellbeing, and environmental sustainability. 

A 2.5-metre-wide pathway winds through the heart of the park, separated from traffic and designed for both walkers and cyclists. The park features a variety of spaces for social and individual use, including seating areas, open lawns, edible gardens, outdoor exercise equipment, and sculptures, all framed by high-quality plantings. A stormwater swale runs through the site as a central landscape feature, enhanced by curved walls and weirs that elevate its visual and ecological presence. 

The site's steep topography presented a design challenge, requiring a creative response to achieve a safe and accessible walking and cycling route. We addressed this by introducing a gently meandering pathway that navigates the contours of the land, ensuring smooth transitions throughout. Along the way, thoughtfully placed rest areas and points of interest invite residents to pause, connect, and enjoy the journey through the park.

The park has been widely embraced by the community, with residents actively using the open spaces and facilities, evidenced by regular gatherings such as sausage sizzles and the formation of a dedicated team to maintain the communal flower garden. These shared experiences have fostered a strong sense of connection and ownership among residents. 

Central Park now serves as a vibrant hub, laying the foundation for future development stages, which will include more traditional villas and ultimately link to the Care Facility.

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