About Gordon Spratt Reserve
Gordon Spratt Reserve is the largest and most complete public sports and recreation reserve in Pāpāmoa East, with its main entrance at 120 Parton Road. It serves as the primary sports, recreation and community space for the rapidly growing eastern end of Pāpāmoa - one of New Zealand's fastest-growing communities over the past two decades.
The reserve is managed by Tauranga City Council and is used daily by local sports clubs, families, school groups and individuals. It packs an unusually wide range of facilities into one site - multiple full-size sports fields, public courts, a children's playground, a revamped skate park and pump track, walking and cycling paths, and an on-site recreation centre - alongside one of the area's most significant civil defence assets, a purpose-built tsunami evacuation mound.
It hosts programmed club and school sport through the week and on weekends, while the playground, skate park, pump track and pathways draw a steady stream of informal community use. The reserve has been progressively upgraded by the council, with sports fields, courts, the skate park, toilets, changing rooms, shade sails and parking all improved through 2023 and 2024, and further additions - including more lighting, pathways, seating and shade sails - signalled for coming years as the upgrade is staged.
️ Facilities
Gordon Spratt Reserve is home to one of the Bay of Plenty's most significant civil defence assets: a purpose-built tsunami evacuation mound with capacity for around 3,800 people. Described as the first purpose-built high-ground evacuation reserve of its kind in the area, the raised earthwork was engineered to withstand the shaking and liquefaction of a large earthquake, and is reached by strengthened footbridges. It provides vertical evacuation refuge for residents of the low-lying Pāpāmoa East area who may not be able to reach natural high ground in time during a tsunami warning. The mound is a prominent, signposted landmark in the reserve. In a tsunami warning, move immediately to the mound or other high ground - and know your closest evacuation point before you ever need it.
Sport & Recreation
The reserve is Pāpāmoa East's main sporting hub and the home ground and training base for several local community sports clubs. Its marked fields and courts support a broad spread of codes through the seasons - rugby, rugby league, touch rugby, football (soccer), cricket, netball, tennis and bowls, among other codes, have all been catered for across the reserve and adjoining grounds. An adjoining oval is used for community cricket, and an on-site multi-purpose recreation centre provides indoor space for club and community activity. Booking and programme details are available from Tauranga City Council and the centre's operator.
The reserve has been progressively upgraded by the council: several sports fields were renewed in 2023-24, the public courts resurfaced, and a netball shelter, changing rooms and a new toilet block added. Field lighting on some sections supports evening training. Clubs and schools booking fields or courts for organised events should check availability and conditions with Tauranga City Council.
Skate Park & Pump Track
The reserve's skate park was given an extensive makeover in 2023 and is now one of the better-regarded skate facilities in the wider Tauranga area. It has a smooth concrete surface with quarter pipes, banks, a manual pad, A-frame and street features, stairs, ledges and rails, suiting everyone from first-timers to experienced skaters. New lighting means it stays usable after dark, and pathways and seating wrap around the edges. Alongside it, a pump track gives younger riders on bikes and scooters a loop of their own. Both are free to use and open to all ages.
Walking, Running & Cycling
Wide, mostly flat paths wind through the reserve and along its waterways, making an easy loop for a walk, a run, a pram or a learner cyclist. The surface is a mix of sealed and gravel paths with grass sections, and parts can hold puddles or mud after heavy rain. A free, timed 5km community parkrun is held at the reserve on Saturday mornings - open to all abilities, with walkers welcome and dogs permitted on a short handheld lead for that event. For longer or more challenging walks, the area's regional walking destinations are a short drive away.
ℹ️ Getting There
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Gordon Spratt Reserve?
It's in Pāpāmoa East, with the main entrance at 120 Parton Road, Papamoa Beach. There are several pedestrian access points from surrounding streets, and free on-site parking off Parton Road.
What facilities are at the reserve?
Multiple marked sports fields, public tennis and netball courts, a children's playground, a revamped concrete skate park with lighting, a pump track, walking and cycling paths, a toilet block and changing rooms, formalised parking and bike racks - plus a purpose-built tsunami evacuation mound and an on-site recreation centre.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are allowed on a lead in the general reserve areas. Keep them away from fenced play areas, the skate park and active sports fields, and pick up after them. Check the current Tauranga City Council dog control rules before visiting, as they can change.
Is there a skate park and pump track?
Yes. The skate park had an extensive makeover in 2023 - a smooth concrete surface with quarter pipes, banks, ledges, rails and stairs, plus lighting for use after dark. There's also a pump track nearby for bikes and scooters. Both are free.
What is the tsunami mound?
A purpose-built raised earthwork that provides vertical evacuation refuge for residents of low-lying Pāpāmoa East. It was engineered to withstand earthquake shaking and liquefaction. Know your nearest evacuation point before you need it.
Is there a walking track?
Yes. Wide paths loop through the reserve and along its waterways - a mostly flat, sealed-and-gravel route popular for walking, running and cycling. A free, timed 5km community parkrun is held here on Saturday mornings.