The masterplan and management plan were developed in close collaboration with Invercargill City Council Parks team and informed by extensive key stakeholder and community engagement. The masterplan identifies a clear picture of the existing state of the reserve and how it is used and managed; focusing on the varied land uses and current operational issues and constraints, including commercial, recreational and grazing activity, and current leases.

From this understanding of the existing reserve and its complex management issues, the masterplan team established a 10-year development vision for Donovan Park Reserve Management Plan that was framed around three key strategic themes:

• Celebrate the reserve's unique natural character
• Promote its role in the city’s open space network
• Rationalise existing land uses

The 10-year development vision and strategic themes are supported by 3-, 10-, and 30-year implementation plans. The masterplan was incorporated into the Donovan Park Reserve Management Plan (2024) and provides the framework for the Management Plan's Guiding Principles, Objectives and Policies.

The masterplan process will inform Invercargill City Council decisions related to possible revocation of the Recreational Reserve status of Donovan Park to enable possible divestment and/or non-recreational reserve related development in the future. In accordance with the policies of the reserve management plan, the masterplan sets the framework for any such future development.

Invercargill City Council formally adopted the Donovan Park Masterplan and the Reserve Management Plan in April 2025.