Have your say about Hagley Park, Botanic Gardens

Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens — two of Christchurch’s most cherished assets — are being put under the microscope. From this week until mid-October, the public will have an opportunity to tell the Council what improvements or changes they would like made.

Anne Greenup, the Council’s Greenspace Unit Manager, says public submissions will be an important part of gathering information to make the right decisions.

Following surveys of visitors to the Botanic Gardens and research by staff, the Council recently pledged more than $10 million to upgrade the Gardens, including the building of new visitor and staff facilities.

“With $1.2m visitors a year, the Gardens are one of Christchurch’s greatest attractions, yet before now no significant expenditure has ever been allocated to them,” Mrs Greenup says. “We now have a magnificent opportunity to future-proof these stunning central-city spaces for future generations and bring them up to a truly international standard.”

A range of issues in Hagley Park are also being considered as part of a review of its management plan. “The Council is required by law to keep the management plan under continuous review and this year will give us a perfect opportunity to look at a whole range of issues affecting, and potenially affecting, Hagley Park and this includes the work being considered in the Botanic Gardens,” Council Parks and Waterways Planner Derek Roozen says.

• Submission forms and information about issues facing Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens will be available from Council Service Centres, Christchurch City Libraries and on the Have Your Say website, at www.ccc.govt.nz/haveyoursay