CITY AMENITIES.

Evening Star, Issue 22685, 26 June 1937, Page 14

CITY AMENITIES.

A plan that should be cordially approved by the citizens has been devised for the improvement of the children’s playground and the surroundings of the bathing pavilion at St. Clair. This is the result of concerted action. After preparing a scheme, the St. Clair Improvement Society and tho Dunedin Amenities Society submitted it, along with an offer of substantial financial assistance, to the Qity Council, which immediately agreed to the proposal, and the work is to be put in hand at once. The playground at present has a rather unsightly and neglected appearance. It is a reproach to the city, for in fin© weather and on holidays and Sundays thousands of people flock to St. Clair, and being so easy of access, it is ouo of the first places to which visitors are taken. Low walls, terraces, turfing, and the planting along the street lino of flower borders and a few native shrubs and trees, such as pohutukawas and ngaios, as proposed in tho plan, suggest the transformation of this spot into one of beauty. At present there are no seats available on which adults can sit and watch the children, who are prone to rush out into the street to the danger of themselves and the embarrassment of motorists on a difficult corner. Both of these matters will be remedied. If this scheme is successful, as there is ■ every reason to suppose it will be, attention will be directed to improving the banks near the St. Clair baths. It is gratifying to find the three bodies mentioned co-operating in plans for improving the amenities in this area. Tree planting is one of the main functions of tho Amenities Society, and at the annual meeting of this body on Monday afternoon next the question will be considered of planting avenues or groups of trees along the roads, north and south, which form the main approaches to this city. Mr D. Tannock, the superintendent of reserves, who has first-hand knowledge of what is being done in other countries, will place a plan and suggestions before the meeting. Since Arbor Day was revived the society has taken a keen interest in the functions held at the schools on that day. It provides speakers and supplies trees where they are required. A double purpose is served, for in addition to the actual planting tho children are impressed with their responsibilities in tho matter of protecting the trees. One of tho most disheartening experiences of the society has been the careless or wanton damage done to the various plantations in city and suburbs. An improvement in this matter lias certainly been noticed lately, but a considerable amount of destruction is still recorded. Tbe provision by the Amenities Society of seats in picturesque spots on tbe Town Belt and other reserves has proved a boon. Many more seats could be used with advantage, and gifts from private citizens would be welcomed. An important work, the results of which are not yet made manifest, is the planting by the society and tho Peninsula Motor Company of trees along the banks of tho lower Peninsula road from the Anderson’s Bay bridge to a point just beyond Macaudrews. About 15,000 trees have been put in, and in time they will enhance the beauty of what is already a picturesque drive. Dunedin is noted for its beauty. The pioneers left a wonderful legacy in the Town Belt. Various bodies are doing what they can not only to preserve their heritage but to add to its attractiveness. They deserve tho encouragement of the citizens in their voluntary labours.