The Green Spine trail is a great way to interact with nature and the Avon Ōtākaro awa (river). At its most elemental, the trail is a city infrastructure project. By helping the river and wetlands to flourish, the project is minimising flooding and pollution (reducing sediment and stormwater contamination).

But the trail is so much more than that! It is a free-to-access walkway for feet, paws and wheels. A way for us to connect, with each other and with nature, and to feel a sense of belonging /tūrangawaewae. 

There are also creative spaces. The bold mural in the pedestrian Anzac Road bridge-underpass by the river combines artistry with functionality. The spruced up walkway, with colourful safety lighting, is a piece of city infrastructure but is also pretty eye-catching, don’t you think?

The vibrant mural, too, incorporates geometric designs (representing buildings and the cityscape) with organic curves (which, according to the artists “evoke the serene meanderings of riverbanks and wetland areas”). Urban artists Nathan and Jenna Ingram obviously thought a lot about the surroundings before coming up with their design.

Conservation Volunteers New Zealand and the Red Zone Rangers have also been busy here, at Cedarwood Reserve. The former children’s playground is no longer viable, and native plantings are helping re-establish a nature-friendly area. Both humans and nature are co-existing. 

“He mea nui te mahi toi” / Creative work is important

What unique contribution does creativity make to society? How can art and construction, functionality and design go hand in hand in the rebuilding of our city?

Quiz question: Cedarwood is an introduced pine species that has a beautiful grain and a pleasant smell as well as properties that make it a durable timber for construction. Why is this reserve called after this exotic species? Could the area’s name be changed, as the native trees become established?

Links:

Happy looking Conservation Volunteers at a plant day here in 2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16DnpGMo9c/

Next steps:

Help out CVNZ

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