Soon after the settlement of Nelson, councils were encouraged to provide recreation grounds for public use. Following this recommendation, Richmond Council set aside land on Gladstone Road for this purpose.
However, it was a far cry from the picture one may have of manicured lawns with landscaped planting of trees and other plants. The land was uneven and pitted and, at times, was offered for lease for grazing purposes of up to one year.
In May 1935 Richmond celebrated the King’s Jubilee and, in honour of this, the recreation ground was renamed “The Jubilee Park”.
Maintenance on the park was sporadic with small increments of improvements being made. Council meetings often raised the issue of the state of the park and made recommendations to improve it, such as those made in 1936.
Old unsightly cabbage trees were removed from the entrances to the park and replaced with scarlet gums. An old willow was replaced with a new cutting and fences removed, replaced, or repaired. Rubbish was cleared and building of a twin concrete fireplace was raised to encourage people to use the park as a picnic area.
Numerous trees were planted to commemorate specific events with Girl Guides planting two trees in honour of the coronation of George VI in September 1937 and schoolchildren planting ornamental trees on Arbor Day 1938.
Despite some beautification the council was still concerned that the park was not being used as much as they would have liked. Reasons for lack of use was partially due to the continued problem of the uneven ground and yet the cost of fixing the grounds had been estimated to be hundreds of pounds.
In 1939, under a new scheme, they were able to employ men to work on levelling the lawns with the aim to turn them into first- class playing fields, which was felt would give the community a second to none park in the Nelson district.
The park became a home for sports clubs, hockey, rugby, cricket, and football, with cycling tracks and tennis courts also built. It was a gathering place for Anzac parades and a campground for scouts.
Nelson’s centenary was celebrated early 1940 and Richmond planned for a way to commemorate. It was decided to commence with planting a belt of scarlet oaks and lime trees alternatively along the front and south side of the park as a memorial to the early settlers of the district, in combination with a memorial plaque.
With the realities of war touching New Zealand, increased attention was given to the importance that Home Guards would play if the country was invaded or attacked from the air. Calls were put out for volunteers and a good muster turned out for Richmond’s first Home Guard meeting, under the control of Group Commander H. E. Stratford. Jubilee Park became home for the weekly Wednesday night parades.
Events, celebrations, sports, picnics, and plantings of memorial trees such as the Barnicoat Oak continued through the ensuing years. Today the park still fulfils its purpose of being a recreation ground for the residents of Richmond.
