What it is
The park was set up in 1977 by the community group Founders Inc. and opened to the public in 1986. Its buildings, some donated and moved to the site, others built as replicas with the help of local firms, are arranged along streets that recall Nelson's colonial and early 20th-century past, with shops, workshops, a church and other public buildings.
Several of the buildings house small museums, collections and local businesses, and the Nelson Railway Society operates a short heritage railway line through the grounds. The Miyazu Japanese Garden lies a short walk along Atawhai Drive.
Getting there by bus
Route 3 (Atawhai - Hospital) stops right at the park: Atawhai Drive at Founders Park (stop 3105) is about 90 metres from the entrance, and Atawhai Drive opposite Founders Park (stop 3216) about 120 metres away, for the other direction.
The same route also stops at the Miyazu Garden Gates (stops 3106 and 3215), about 400 to 430 metres away, and near Weka Street (stops 3104 and 3217).
