Ian Soper can step out his office door to check out the best piece of real estate in town: the Ashburton Domain.

He is Ashburton District Council’s new Open Spaces Manager and knows looking after the domain, as well as other parks and green spaces all around the district, is an important job.

Ian has come to Ashburton from Gore District Council where he managed the parks department there for 16 years. His horticultural working career, which started as an apprentice in 1980, also covers private enterprise and local government experience.

Passing through Ashburton over the years, he has always been impressed by Ashburton’s domain, considered the town’s jewel in the crown, and is now pleased to call this region home. Ian and his wife Sue have family spread from Nelson to Southland, so Ashburton is ideally placed for travel to see grandchildren either way.

And it is an exciting time to be arriving at Council when the Ashburton Domain is about to embark on a period of change that will set it up for the next 100 years following the adoption of a 30-year development plan. The plan includes proposals for moving the main entrance to Walnut Avenue, adding a sealed perimeter path, and playground improvements.

All green spaces cycle through periods of development, consolidation and maintenance.

Officially, the domain and other green spaces are amenities to be managed, but they also require passion and a good long-term vision. While footpaths can be dug up and replaced in a week, the value of a tree planted in the domain might not be visible for 80 years.

Managing the space is about making it safe, attractive, usable and educational. Trees, especially some of the oldest ones, require close attention and there are plenty of mature varieties to keep an eye on.

Ian hopes in the future to have domain maps that show the tracks and paths, and even an app that shares historical information about particular trees or areas of the domain.

Part of his role is liaising with the Ashburton Domain User Group, which includes sporting and other groups using the space, so information can be more easily shared about ongoing work.

Ian's wider role as Open Spaces Manager also includes oversight of the district's cemeteries, its public toilet facilities, stockwater race management, support for reserve boards and general beautification of the district.

The town’s pioneers, who created the Ashburton Domain, would be well pleased with their foresight, and Ian looks forward to continuing to care for and maintain these beautiful public spaces.