Tree huts and peacocks wanted?
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Year 2 students from Opawa School Oliver Hudson, Blade Silivetelo, Jack Condon and Jarrah Lawrence with some of their paintings inspired by the Botanic Gardens |
The public has been quick to respond to the 56 proposals in the draft management plans for Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens, with over 116 responses received in the first three weeks.
And it’s not been just adults keen to make their views known. Year 2 pupils at Opawa School have also had their say on a part of the city they love – the Botanic Gardens.
Teachers of the class of six-year-olds, Robyn Drummond and Maria Frew, said the theme for the term was water and, as part of their work, the children studied fountains around the city.
“They all just loved the Peacock Fountain, especially the colours,&rsquo said Mrs Drummond. “It really captured their imaginations. They also enjoy the different spaces in the Gardens and have lots of ideas about them.”
The day after their study, fiveyear- old Blade Silivetelo was looking in the newspaper and saw a picture of the Peacock Fountain accompanying a story about the public consultation on the draft management plans for Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens.
Keen to find out more, he cut out the story and took it to school to talk about with the others. The teachers took advantage of the children’s enthusiasm and decided to make a submission, writing directly to Mayor Garry Moore.
“Dear Mr Moore,’ they wrote. “We are interested to read in the paper about the planned upgrade of the Gardens. We talked about some ideas and thought we would give you some of them.”
“The Peacock Fountain is very beautiful and we would like it to be painted in the same colours again. What about some real peacocks to go with the fountain?”
“Another fountain would also be nice. We would like more car parks close by. Keep planting trees and flowers. We would like some tree huts in trees because we don’t have suitable trees at home. We could help with a plan for a tree hut if you would like.”
“We would also like suitable places for hide and seek in the trees. A place for climbing in real trees and a wall would be nice. We hope you like our ideas.”
Mr Moore decided he certainly did like their ideas and sent the class a letter thanking them for writing and giving each child a book and pen.
And the school’s interest in the Gardens was not just limited to making a submission. As part of their art work, classes had been focusing on the theme of light on water, inspired by the work of the French impressionist painter Monet. What better way to understand Monet than to paint light on the water at the fountains and lakes in the Gardens? The result was a stunning collection of artwork which has been put up around the library walls as an exhibition for parents and the community.
- The public has until 5pm on Wednesday, 25 October to make a submission. Information pamphlets which list the 56 proposals with an accompanying submission form are available from service centres and the Civic Offices. It is also possible to get copies of the draft management plans for both Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens and a document summarising both draft plans. Online, go to www.ccc.govt.nz/haveyoursay
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