Gostelow Park has been officially opened at a ceremony in Otatara today.

A new community pump track was built on the corner of Oreti Rd and Dunns Rd to honour the legacy of Otatara man Derek Gostelow and his family.

Mr Gostelow, a former resident, left $90,000 in his will for the Invercargill City Council to use for community projects within the Otatara area and community.

After consultation it was decided that an asphalt pump track, park benches, and informal play area would be introduced to the site.

The track was opened with a blessing by Waihōpai rūnaka Dean Whaanga and Evelyn Cook, and attended by the Mayor, Council staff and special guests, including children from Otatara School and the Southland Mountain Bike Club who brought their bikes to break in the track.

Council Parks and Recreation Manager Caroline Rain said the track was a wonderful example of a community coming together.

“We’ve managed to put something together that will benefit firstly the people of Otatara, but also the wider community in the shape of Gostelow Park.”

While the pump track is open, landscaping would be completed in the New Year when the weather was more appropriate for planting, Mrs Rain said.

At a Council performance, policy, and partnership committee meeting on Tuesday it was voted that the reserve land be named Gostelow Park, in Mr Gostelow’s honour.