‘Green Belt Needed For Expanding Christchurch’

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31169, 20 September 1966, Page 4

‘Green Belt Needed For Expanding Christchurch’

Need for the provision of recreational areas and park lands as Christchurch further develops was emphasised yesterday by Mr H. G. Gilpin, the Christchurch City Council’s director of parks and reserves.

He has just returned from Sydney after attending the national conference of the Australian Institute of Park Administration.

The conference, attended by 180 delegates from all states of Australia was the largest yet held. Mr Gilpin, who attended as secretary of the Institute of Park Administration, was the only delegate from outside Australia. He said he was very impressed with the provision of “breathing spaces” in Australia. Town planning should not lose sight of these for Christchurch. “While Christchurch is reasonably well provided for in the way of parks and open spaces, it is to be hoped that, as the city extends, due consideration is given not only to small playing areas but to extensive parklands in the form of a green belt around the city. This will help to confine the city and provide recreational facilities,” Mr Gilpin said.

He said the success of the conference was mainly because of an awareness in Australia of the need for planning and management In the field of conservation and in the associated facets of land use, landscape design, ornamental horticulture and recreation.

“From my observations great emphasis is being placed on providing recreational facilities, both active and passive, for the community as a whole.

“In Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Canberra and Adelaide it was noticeable that all were well endowed with parks and open spaces. It is obvious that the early planners had great foresight in providing for the future needs of these cities.”

Mr Gilpin said he was greatly impressed with developments in Hobart since he was there last in 1957. Throughout the city open spaces were very much in evidence.

“Sydney could almost be called the city of fountains.

There are so many throughout the city, and all are in first-class working condition,” he said. “The director of the Sydney Parks Department (Mr C. Garth) made a special point in his address at the conference that, before erecting a new fountain, it was essential that the existing ones either be removed or put into good working order.”

Old Cemeteries Mr Gilpin said one of his main reasons for visiting Hobart was to study old cemeteries which had been closed and redeveloped into passive recreational areas. “There are four such cemeteries in Hobart, and what is envisaged for the Barbadoes Street Cemetery is on similar lines. The historic headstones of architectural merit have been allowed to remain. Many of the other headstones have been placed around the perimeter. “However, it has been found over the years that the headstones around the perimeter have not been satisfactory and have created a hazard for children and other users of the area.

“In the most recently redeveloped cemetery in Hobart the historic headstones have been incorporated in the landscape, and many of the other stones have been laid in the turf similar to those in a lawn cemetery.” Mr Gilpin said vandalism was a problem in Australia, but it did not appear to be as bad as in New Zealand. He was not sure whether this was because more recreational facilities were available or because more supervision was given by rangers and patrols. Several parks had barbecue facilities. They were used extensively and not damaged by vandals.

He said Australian people were tree conscious and realised the value of plant life. When trees were past their best, they were removed, but great importance was placed on replacing them. Mr Gilpin said speakers at the conference represented leaders ill the associated fields of parks and recreation areas, highway landscaping, modern plant production, national parks, education and park management. His illustrated address was on the botanic gardens and parks of New Zealand.