The first play and recreation space in the OARC Regeneration Plan was officially opened.

The upper terrace area of the Avon Park redevelopment was officially opened on Thursday 5 December.

The kaitiaki team and kapa haka group from Whītau school came to test the play area out. Some of the students have been involved at the park for the last three years mulching, planting and helping out on site. During the opening event kaitiaki team replanted a fruit tree they had initially planted in the lower terrace into the new community garden area on the upper terrace (as seen in the photo below). The kaitiaki team were recognised for their hard mahi in the park by deputy board chair Jackie Simons gifting each student with a Wonder Weeder; a nifty little gardening tool to help them with future gardening projects to clear the weeds from the soil before planting or when existing plants are being strangled by weeds.

The project has added valuable play space on the East of Christchurch.

Work is continuing on the lower portion of the park, and new areas will be opened up in the coming months – starting with the basketball court in January 2025. The City to Sea Path connection, pump track, exploratory trails and large swing will be opened around the middle of next year with the entire park being planted out and completed around October.

The new path through the centre of the park will form an integral section of the City to Sea Pathway, from Snell Bridge through to Kerrs Reach.

The lower terrace of the park will be returned to a low-lying native wetland, and the upper terrace of the park include a new playing field, full and half basketball court, accessible playground, pump track, toilet and communal picnic areas.

The section of Avonside Drive between Kerrs Road and Snell Bridge will be closed permanently, allowing a direct connection from the wetland area through to the river.

This portion of the project is the first recreational and play space in the Regeneration Plan to be delivered.

Council would like to acknowledge the generous support of the Christchurch Earthquake Appeals Trust (CEAT) in funding this portion of the project. A plaque was unveiled by Neil Cooper (CEAT) and Sammi from Whitau School at the opening event.