An historic industrial site which played an important role in building Christchurch is set to become one of the City's leading beauty spots in the new milllenium. Development of tracks, viewing points, a heritage centre, native bushland and a lake at Halswell Quarry Park are already well advanced. Now Christchurch City Council wants public comment on what else should be done at the 55 hectare park. "Council's management plan for the park includes botanic gardens, a native wetland and kahikatea forest, a village green events oval, an amphitheatre and the creation of a series of gardens to reflect the landscape and plants of our sister cities," says Council landscape architect Dennis Preston.

Its vantage point overlooking the south west of Christchurch gives the high points of Halswell Quarry Park unbeatable views of the City and the Alps.

The sister cities garden concept proposes gardens based on plants from Christchurch's six sister cities: Adelaide, Christchurch in England, Gansu Province in China, Kurashiki in Japan, Seattle USA and Songpa-Gu in Korea. Each of the sister cities will be invited to help create its own garden, each of which will be around 1,000 square metres in area.

Halswell Quarry was first opened in the 1850s. Stone from the quarry was used in many City buildings, including Canterbury Museum and the Provincial Council Chamber. Production ceased in 1990.

Public submissions on the Halswell Quarry Park Management Plan close on 11 September. The main entrance to the park is off Kennedy's Bush Road.

For more information contact Dennis Preston, 941 8728.

August 1998 City Scene ~