The newly reopened Brian Smith Park, a hit with lunchtime patrons, is one of several park upgrades in the Queenstown CBD area, Queenstown Lakes District Council parks manager Gordon Bailey said.

"The Brian Smith Park has been really popular. It?s opened up the area with better lighting and more seating," Mr Bailey said.

Intrusive phone booths had also been relocated to complete the $65,000 upgrade.

"The next project will see an upgrade of the Flood Memorial sculpture on Earnslaw Park to make a more user friendly area with raised seating and the introduction of a better interaction between the wet sculpture and the landscape," Mr Bailey said.

The $30,000 upgrade was due for completion early next month in time for the busy summer season.

The third project, the Malaghan Reserve, has seen a new green area developed next to the new court house.

"That forms part of the Ngai Tahu Property Development reserve contribution, with that area vested in council for use by the community as a reserve," he said.

ENDS

For further information please contact Gordon Bailey 03 441 0499.

By: Sarah