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Avon Park
Names and landscapes can change…and yet sometimes things seem to go full circle!
Ōtautahi, named after the Māori chief Tautahi, was renamed Christchurch by European settlers. Now both names are widely used.
The city is also known as New Zealand’s ‘Garden City’: a nickname that reflects its many parks, gardens and green spaces. History tells us the name was first used in 1906 by Sir John Gorst, a British government official. He was visiting the New Zealand International Exhibition at Hagley Park. (FYI: Two million people visited the exhibition during the 5 ½ months it was open. Even by today’s standards, that’s a lot of people!)
Do you think the name ‘Garden City’ is still appropriate? How might the city’s gardens and green spaces be changing? How is climate change having an impact?
Avon Park was officially opened on 6 April 1940. Back then it was known as Avon Centennial Park (not to be confused with Centennial Park in Spreydon, which was once a landfill site!). Twelve acres of land between Avonside Drive and Kerrs Road were turned into parkland as part of the city’s centennial celebrations. The newspaper of the day wrote:
“Avon Centennial Park is designed on the most modern lines, and its area incorporates facilities for the recreation of all types.” (5 April 1940)
In light of the earthquakes, Christchurch City Council has redesigned Avon Park. The park upgrade includes a range of ‘modernised’ recreational facilities: such things as a bike pump track and a basketball court. There’s also areas of native plantings.
So some things revert to nature, some things change.
What do you think about that?
Enjoy playing and exploring in Avon Park.
Links:
More park info:
Avon Park activities
Construction picture:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=983612237136969&set=pcb.983658333799026
Park opening 1940:
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19400405.2.19
Christchurch, NZ’s capital of play: