Christchurch City Council is responsible for maintaining the public recreation ground and foreshore areas of Pūrau Bay.

We have prepared a draft landscape plan for the foreshore and recreation ground to renew existing facilities, formalise parking areas, and enhance existing spaces to enjoy recreational activities.

Click on the tabs below to see what we are proposing for each area.

In the recreation ground, at 187 Pūrau Avenue, the proposed plan proposes to:

• Remove toilet block and shelter. Replace with self-contained and relocatable toilet block (see map for new location).
• Install a new nature play area.
• Install new paths to the toilet block and playground areas.
• Install new accessible picnic table near existing playground.
• Install new timber steps from the reserve to Pūrau Stream.
• Plant more natives along Pūrau Stream and the drain at the front of the recreation ground.
  

Click on the icons below to see what's planned for each area or download the draft development plan.

On the western foreshore the plan proposes to;

• Plant more natives around the Head-to-Head Walkway stream.
• Place rocks along the roadside west of Pūrau Stream, to restrict parking on the grassed areas—placed wide enough to hand-pull small boats through.
• Relocate picnic tables to the east of Pūrau Stream, so the design is culturally sensitive to the historical land use, and encourages eating in the other recreational spaces.
• Install new bench seats in place of existing picnic tables.

Click on the icons below to see detail about each feature or download the draft development plan.

Why restrict vehicles parking on the grassed area?

Its standard practice in public reserves managed by Council to restrict vehicles from parking on grassed reserve areas that are used for recreation. We do this to protect the grounds from damage vehicles can cause, and provide a safe space for people to enjoy.

In this particular area there have also been two archaeological geophysical survey reports carried out. Both reports state the western foreshore has a "high likelihood" of being "of archaeological significance" as scans have revealed four archaeological pits that could be either remnants from occupation (large fire pits such as for Hangi) or burial sites.

Oral and written history about the area also identifies this was part of a kāinga (village) in the 1800's and so Council would like to protect it.

View the 2009 archaeological geophysical survey report and the 2024 archaeological geophysical survey report for more information.

Moving the picnic tables

The plan proposes to move the picnic tables to the eastern foreshore, replacing them with wooden bench seats. This is to uphold tikanga around those sites that have been identified as possible burial sites. In Māori culture urupā (cemeteries and burial sites) are considered tapu (sacred) and eating and drinking on those sites is considered disrespectful. Moving the tables to the eastern side is a small action we can take to acknowledge and uphold the tikanga on this site.

On the eastern foreshore the plan proposes to;

• Reshape gravel car park and turn-around area with low post and rope fencing with space for approximately 25 cars and an opening wide enough to hand-pull small boats through. The carpark may also include treatments to deter it being used for antisocial behaviour using vehicles if community feedback supports it.
• Four picnic tables spread along the grassed areas.
• Plant more natives along the eastern swales, adjacent to the edge of the road.
• Retain informal parking along eastern end of Pūrau Avenue and Camp Bay Road.
  
  

Click on the icons below to see detail about each feature or download the draft development plan.