Donovan Park

Covering over 79 hectares, Donovan Park contributes significantly to the open green space of Invercargill.

The land, originally a farm, was purchased from the Donovan family in 1964 and remains a mix of park and farmland. The farmed sections are still in operation and the public can enjoy the rural setting while making use of the expansive park and sports grounds.

Donovan Park provides a link between Queens Park and Thomsons Bush to the south and Anderson Park immediately to the north. On first impression, Donovan Park is basically flat, but it is actually pleasantly contoured, undulating country.

It is a valued expanse of land that fills the transition from the organised cityscape to the informal rural aspect outside the city boundary.

Read the Donovan Park Management Plan here.

Farm

A significant area of land within Donovan Park is used for farming operations.

You can see sheep, deer, and rare breeds livestock.

A white goose surrounded by ducks tands on the grass in front of a pond.

Duck pond

Ducks, geese, pied stilts, black-back gulls, black-billed seagulls, swans and other birds can be seen visiting the duck pond area.

Dogs

Donovan Park is a designated dog exercise area. You may exercise your dog off-lead, except in the area surrounding the duckpond, where there is a risk of disturbing wildlife.