Now under development is Cambridge Green, near the Barbadoes Street cemetery. This piece of land was bought by the Council more than five years ago and is being developed to create a large riverbank reserve with plantings and sitting areas. Clear, spring-fed water will bubble up from under Salisbury Street and flow through the reserve before entering an historic brick barrel drain and cascading into the Avon opposite the Centra Hotel.

The site, which is significant to Maori, was blessed by the Reverend Maurice Gray in April. The project will be completed by the end of August.A landscape plan is available for viewing on site.

Still in the planning stages is the enhancement of the riverbank on the eastern side of Madras Street, near the Oxford Terrace Baptist Church and the central fire station.

It is anticipated that the first stage of this development will be finished in time for the opening of the World Firefighters’ Commemorative Games in October this year.

The two new reserves will add to other features of historical and recreational interest along this stretch of the river, such as the Thomas Edmonds Band Rotunda, Centennial Pool and Poplar Avenue, the Clock Tower and Old Phone Booth, and the Bricks, Barbadoes Street Cemetery and the Avon Loop with its historic rowing site.

Washington Reserve

Residents may have noticed that the second stage of the Washington Reserve development is now under way. After several years wait the street skating arena, designed by local skater Campbell Johnson, will be completed in September. Lighting and a small car park will also be provided.