Turnbull Thomson Park is a public park located in Invercargill, Southland, South Island, New Zealand. It is within the region of Southland Plains, covered with grass on low flatland with some trees around the large open space. The park is mainly used for sports and recreation purposes. As a natural reserve, it also has unique environmental and scenic value to the city.^[1]

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Turnbull Thomson Park
Location within Invercargill
Type	Public park
Location	Invercargill, Southland, South Island, New Zealand
Coordinates	46°24′50″S 168°22′19″E
Area	40 hectares
Created	1933
Operated by	Invercargill City Council Parks Division
Open	All Year
Status	Minor Park

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The park is a sports venue and a tourist attraction surrounded by local residential areas. On the south west corner is Rugby Park Stadium, a privately operated sports ground. To its northwest are Otakaro Park and Queen's Park.^[1]

The Main South railway line and Otepuni Stream bisect the reserve in the middle. A band of industrial segment on Otepuni Avenue separates the two eastern parts of the park. On the corner of Lindisfarne Street and Otepuni Avenue sits a sewerage pumping station, part of the Invercargill city cleaning system set up by John Turnbull Thomson.^[2]

Environment Southland manages two pieces of land in and adjacent to the reserve. One is in the center next to the railway line and another in the northwest borders the reserve.^[1]

Around 70% of the park was given to Invercargill city as a gift together with further monetary donations in 1933 by daughters of John Turnbull Thomson, who was the first Surveyor General of New Zealand. The money was used to buy trees and shrubs for the park.^[1]

Turnbull Thomson Park was used for growing crops during World War II. The cultivation of the land helped to improve the condition of the soil.^[1]

Over the years, other areas and facilities were added to the main area by the council, such as land, shelters, clubrooms and bridges. In 1965 the Turnbull Thomson Pavilion was built and managed by Turnbull Thomson Management Committee since. During the 1960s and 1970s a tree nursery was added for growing shelter trees for the city's reserves. During roughly the same time period, most sports buildings were built for team activities. In the 90s, a skateboard park was built by Environment Southland when the stop banks were being constructed. In the late 90s, some professional murals were created to beautify the buildings by the collaborative effort of several associations to help combat problems with graffiti.^[1]

A walking and cycling track running from Inglewood Road to Elles Road was added in 2003. It was maintained by the Invercargill City Council Roading Division and funded by the Land Transport Funding Programme.^[1]

The main usage of the park include sports, passive recreations, commercial promotions, festival activities, circuses, competitions, public demonstrations and ceremonies.^[1]

• Sports Football teams Southland Spirit FC and Queens Park A.F.C. are based in the park. Rugby team Southland Stags Team also train on the new pitch.^[21]
• Recreations The park has a grass field and walking lanes for walking, running and cycling. Children's playgrounds are safe and regularly maintained. Dog walking is allowed under the supervision of the pet owner.^[1]
• Entertainment Firework displays sometimes are arranged in the park, but open fires outside a BBQ gas container are not allowed.^[1]
• Club activities Many clubs host their group activities in the park.^[1]

The park is subject to the south oceanic and local microclimate of Invercargill and often has inclement weather.^[10] Before humans arrived, this area was covered by forest. However, much of it was burnt down by Polynesians around 1250–1300 AD. European settlers have planted grass since 1850.^[22]

The trees in the park tend to produce dead leaves scattering around the field and sometimes get blown to the residential areas, which is considered as inconvenient. There are also people in the park collecting firewood, pine cones and twigs. Graffiti seems to be a persistent problem.^[1]

• Queen's Park, Invercargill