Timaru District's parks, reserves and open spaces comprise some 520 hectares. In all 70 parks are located throughout the District.

The most readily identified park is Caroline Bay which has a safe bathing beach, large children's playground including a pirate ship, free tennis courts, aviary, soundshell, mini golf and other entertainment from time to time.

Access to Caroline Bay is via the Piazza for pedestrians or car parks are located off Marine Parade and Virtue Avenue.

The Timaru Botanic Gardens are located on the corner of King and Queen Streets in the south of Timaru. This is one of the few Botanic Gardens which provides an internal drive for public vehicles and tourist coaches. Highlights include the Graeme Paterson Conservatory, ponds and threatened plant collections.

The Education Centre provides information about plants to the public on Wednesdays and Sundays from 2.00pm - 4.00pm. Groups may be accommodated at other times by arrangement. There are also over 40 individual collections of plants growing in the Botanic Gardens.

Aorangi Park is Timaru's major sporting venue. It is the home of the all weather hockey turf, netball and tennis courts, athletics, bowls, soccer and cricket fields as well as South Canterbury's premier sport stadium the Community Trust Sports Centre.

Multifunctional Domains are located in Geraldine, Temuka and Pleasant Point. These contain sportsfields, leased motor camps, children's playgrounds and other interesting activities.

Bookings of park facilities may be made by phone (03) 687 7200 or by fax (03 684 2209).