Geoff Taylor (78) died on February 14 last year not long after retiring as chairman of the Luggate Community Association — a group he had served for a decade.
Mr Taylor was also a member of Rotary Wanaka and was instrumental in the formation of many Luggate projects, including working bees, tree planting, the playground and tennis court upgrades.
At the first community and services committee meeting yesterday, council parks and reserves manager Maddy Jones said the LCA sought for a recreation reserve off Main Rd, Luggate — informally known as "Harris Place Reserve" — to be renamed "Geoff Taylor Park".
"[Mr] Taylor was a highly respected and loved community stalwart and therefore the community association wish to honour him in this way."
Mr Taylor moved to Luggate, where he worked at Sir Tim and George Wallis’ timber mill.
He and Sir Tim — who were lifelong friends — then established the Luggate Game Packers Company in 1963, exporting venison.
Mr Taylor and his wife, Jill, bought the Belex wool-carding business in Palmerston in 1997, moving it to Luggate where he became deeply involved in the town’s affairs.
His "swansong" was the inspirational restoration of the old wagon and horse sculptures which stand in the park beside Main Rd.
"This historical tribute to past Luggate days is dedicated to the Reid family and stands on the area the community association wish to bear Geoff’s name," Ms Jones’ report said.
