This reserve is 5.9694 hectares in size. It is located on the eastern bank of the Waihou River just upstream from the State Highway 26 traffic bridge in south eastern Te Aroha. The reserve is bounded to the north by SH 26 and Council buildings, to the east by residential property, and to the south and west by the Waihou River.

The park is roughly divided into the southern area, which is used for grazing and includes a Go-cart track, and the northern area, which is used for athletics, public rest rooms and a children’s playground. Currently the river’s edge is underutilised in terms of access, and opportunities for undertaking native vegetation restoration.

The Operative District Plan only identifies Section 167 as a Reserve. All of Herries Memorial Park is identified as being in a flood hazard area.  The narrow part of Section 167 that joins Rewi Street, and all of Section 1A are also a part of the Te Aroha Character Area. The Herries Memorial Park monument is recorded as a heritage site (site ref. 59). The park also has a designation for water and soil conservation (designation no. 1). The underlying planning zone for Section 167 is Rural.  For Section 1A the zone is industrial.

History

The land was originally donated to the people of Te Aroha by Mokena Hou. The Herries Memorial Park was established by funds left by Sir William Herries to the borough. Herries Park was named after Sir William Herries who was a Member of Parliament for the Tauranga Electorate from 1896 – 1923, and a Piako County Councillor.

Te Aroha Athletics Club

The Athletics club has been using Herries Memorial Park for over 60 years. They use the park during the summer months, meeting each Tuesday night, and holding training sessions on Monday and Thursday afternoons. The club also occasionally uses the park on Saturdays.  Council currently maintains the sportsfield area and running track at a suitable standard for junior athletics.

Te Aroha Go-Kart Club

The go-kart club uses the lower southern part of the park from November to May each year.  Meetings are held every third Sunday, weather permitting.  If a meeting is postponed due to bad weather, it is usually held the following weekend.  Meetings start at 9.00am, and finish at 4.00pm.  An occasional practice is held on a Sunday between meetings.  No meetings are held on the first Sunday in March so as not to conflict with Te Aroha Athletic Club’s cross country day.

The club places safety barriers around the track during their season of use.  In the off season, they are stored in or behind the club’s container on site. Should the club numbers increase sufficiently, there are plans to extend the track towards the river so that the club can host the NZ National Dirt Championships.  In conjunction with the track extension, the club would like to extend the current carpark adjacent to the Council buildings down to the track.