Ōamaru Public Gardens parkrun

There are limited local public transport options in Ōamaru. InterCity buses arrive at the bus stop in Eden St (outside the public toilets). From there, it’s about a 15-20 minute walk to the Gardens via Thames and Severn Sts, or a short taxi ride.

From Ōamaru’s town centre (Thames St), head north to Severn St/SH1. Follow Severn St south for about 400m.

By foot, the best way to enter the gardens is at the Severn St/Cross St intersection. Follow the signage from the entrance to the band rotunda/start line. Alternatively, turn right onto Cross St, then left onto Chelmer St until you reach the car park. Walk through the car park, cross the bridge over Ōamaru Creek, then turn right and follow the path past the duck pond for around 100m to the band rotunda/start line.

Follow signs to Ōamaru Public Gardens. Use the Chelmer St entrance for the main car park and event access. The Gardens also have an entrance from Severn St/State Highway 1. If using a sat nav, search “Oamaru Botanical Gardens”.

Note: Searching “Oamaru Public Gardens” on Apple Maps takes you to the Severn St/SH1 entrance.

Limited parking is available in the Ōamaru Public Gardens car park, accessed from Chelmer St. To reduce congestion, participants are strongly encouraged to use on-street parking in the surrounding streets (Chelmer Street and Severn Street) and walk in. Please park considerately, as the gardens are shared with other visitors.

Every week we grab a post-parkrun coffee: Tees St Café. Please come and join us!

Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee at Tees St Café - please come and join us!

Ōamaru Public Gardens parkrun is a fun, free event organised by volunteers for the benefit of everyone. We wish to make the event as safe as possible, so participants, spectators and helpers are asked to take care about the following:

• Please be considerate to the park and other park users at all times.
• Children under the age of eleven must be accompanied (within arm's reach) throughout the event by a parent, guardian or appropriate adult of the parent's choice.
• Please arrive by foot, by pedal-power or by public transport if you can - your efforts help to reduce our impact on the park and the planet.
• We invite everyone to consider volunteering at parkrun. Your support helps your parkrun events remain sustainable and free for all in your community, and it’s also a wonderful way to improve your own health and happiness. Please visit the volunteer page for more information.
• Take care near roads and car parks – some vehicles drive very quickly. Please congregate away from the cars and be careful in particular if you have children. If you’re driving to the event, please drive carefully.
• Take care on uneven surfaces – whether on grass or on tarmac. Watch out for cyclists, other participants, pedestrians, children, dogs, wildlife, park animals, vehicles, park maintenance work, falling branches, bollards, posts and other obstacles around the course.
• Please ensure that you are fit enough to walk, jog, run 5k (3.1 miles) with us.
• If you see someone with a serious problem, please stop to help them out and get help as soon as possible.
• If you’re watching, keep clear of participants on the course, and look after any children and dogs you may have with you.
• It is not permitted to run with a pushchair and a dog at the same time.
• You are welcome to take part with one dog by your side, within reach at all times, on a short, handheld, non-extendable lead. The use of waist harnesses is prohibited. Please also see this Support Site entry for further details about parkrunning with dogs.
• parkrunners pushing buggies are welcome, but please take care of others around you and do your best to start at an appropriate place in the field for your pace.

We hope these tips help to ensure that Ōamaru Public Gardens parkrun is fun and safe for everyone.

All parkrun events use Age Grading to help parkrunners compare results.

parkrun events use Age Grading to help parkrunners see progress and compare results.

For more information, please see our Support page.

All parkrun events are organised by volunteers - email oamarupublicgardens@parkrun.com to help.

parkrun is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk. For our full safeguarding processes and policies please see our Safeguarding Hub.

To report a safeguarding concern please email safeguarding@parkrun.com.