The owners of the Nelson Fun Park in Tahunanui are negotiating with a potential new owner, but resolution is still a few months away.

Business owner Tom Mexted said he and his wife Vivienne had run the business on the city council reserve for 14 years.

They announced in September they were selling up in search of new horizons.

"We're going through the process now. We've got someone who wants to buy it and we're now talking with the council," Mr Mexted said.

The city council called for requests for proposals to buy the Nelson Fun Park on council reserve, which attracted interest from one party, the council confirmed.

A confidential staff report is to be tabled at a council meeting on December 13.

The timing of the Mexteds' plans coincided with an opportunity to take on the operation of Natureland.

The council is negotiating with two parties who each have plans for the small zoo - St Arnaud farmer Richard Osmaston and the former owners of a Takaka farm park, Matthew and Ruth Benge.

City council parks and facilities manager Paul McArthur said recently it would be up to the council to approve the lease for a new party taking on the fun park business.

Use of the site on council reserve had to meet requirements of the Nelson Resource Management Plan.

Mr Mexted said it was time someone with new ideas took on the business.

"We've enjoyed our time here and it's a fun business to operate, but it's our time to move on."

Mr Mexted predicted it would take until February at least to finalise things.

"It's looking promising but we've got a few things to work through, because the council owns the land and we own the plant."

- © Fairfax NZ News