Community Benefits

The Riccarton Park Racecourse provides many more benefits for the Community than simply a place of recreation on raceday.

Riccarton Park is vitally involved with the non-racing community around it.

Besides its core business of providing thoroughbred horse racing and training facilities it provides for the following:

  • Civil Defence alternate Headquarters 
  • Police dog training.
  • Police training and assesment
  • Drug dog training.
  • Riccarton Park Residents Association meetings venue.
  • Christchurch Hunt Club meetings venue.
  • Lily Society meetings venue.
  • Lions Club meetings venue.
  • Wigram Lions Old Peoples afternoon tea.
  • Riccarton Fendalton Pony Club.
  • Veterinary clinic on site.
  • Riccarton Racecourse Bowling Club.
  • Riccarton Domain Winter Bowling Club
  • School cross-country events.
  • South Island Apprentice School.
  • Riccarton Rotary Sunday Market.
  • Riccarton Park Golf Complex.
  • The Riccarton Park Function Centre
  • School visits

Public access

  • A number of historic buildings including the recently restored teahouse.
  • Large lawns, gardens and parkland areas maintained
  • Pedestrian access 24 hours a day
  • General public access for walking, jogging, exercise, dog walking and play.
  • Sports team training.
  • Walking groups.
  • Vehicle access during working hours.
  • Driver education and training in a safe off-road environment.
  • Many of the Riccarton Park race days are free admission