PLANS FOR PARK

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 196, 20 July 1937, Page 10

PLANS FOR PARK

TERRACE END PIT. SCHEME OF DEVELOPMENT. Plans for the development of the Terrace End railway ballast pit as a park and amusement area were placed before the meeting of tht Palmerston North City Council, last evening, by the engineer (Mr J. R. Hughes) and eny curator (Mr I’. Black) in a joint report on the possibilities or transforming the appearance of this area, concerning the acquisition ot which negotiations have- been proceeding with the Railway Department. Work has already commenced at the southern end of the pit, the offer of the Minister of Railways to transfer this portion to tho control of the City Council for £lO, provided the department retains the right to lay sidings on the land, haying been accepted. Employment is being provided, under the Government subsidised labour scheme, for 25 men for the balance of the financial year, and twelve men are now engaged in the preliminary work. NOT A SPORTSGROUND. “From an inspection of the area and a study of the plan after having a survey made, we are of the opinion that tho area does not lend itself to the making of a sportsgrouml, as generally. understood. The section is 24 chains in length by 6 chains m width, and varies in depth from 18 feet to 27 feet. It is too narrow in the bottom to- permit of football or other sports,” stated the joint report submitted to the council. “On the removal of the railway a quantity of approximately 5000 cubic vards of spoil, excluding ballast, would bo available from the present permanent way; of tliis, 2/00 cubic yards will be required to raise that portion of Main Street on the south side between Fitzroy Street and Napier Road to correspond with the level of the road on the north side; the balance .will be very useful in soiling the existing gravel slopes and top-dressing the floor of the pit where required for lawns and gardens. In tho layout wo have followed as far as possible the present contours, retaining the existing levels and making as full use as possible of the steep shingle faces which have been left by railway excavations. POOL AND LAKELET.

“Advantage lias been taken of the lowest position to plan a swimming pool and lakelet 110 yards in length by 40 yards wide at Die east end, with a connecting stream to a pool for water fowl at the west end. The swimming pool would require to have a concrete bottom and sides, and we propose that the existing gravel .bottom be cemented by the gunite cementing process as this will be a comparatively cheaper method and quite effective. 'Pile bottom of the lower pool would be sealed with pug clay. Regarding water supply and drainage, the former could be supplied from a small artesian bore delivered over a cascade forming a waterfall in the rockery and fernery at the eastern end. There has not been any vign of water lying in the bottom of the pit for some years, and it would appear as though the removal of the river from Fitzroy bend lias had some effect on the drainage. We suggest that a soak hole be put down as deep as possible to take away the surplus water. Should this be found impracticable, it would be a small matter to instal an electric pumping unit to lift tho water to a stormwater drain in Fitzroy Street and take it to tlio river. CHILDREN’S PLAYING AREA. ‘‘.Provision has been made for the setting aside of a children’s playing area on tho middle terrace towards the eastern end. Tho idea presents itself lor the establishment of an area for tiie erection of houses for varieties of birds, including those now in tho Square gardens, and also for the. erection of a monkey house.

“An opportunity arises of providing a new site for the band rotunda in the Square or, should future councils desire to do so, more elaborate and up-to-date facilities in the form of a sound shell could be provided. The site for this wo have chosen at the north-west corner. A tea kiosk could he combined with a caretaker’s residence on the high ground at the eastern end overlooking t lie whole park area. “The high hanks at the eastern end lend themselves to the erection of an up-to-date rockery and fernery in which would he incorporated a large waterfall or cascade. Bathing shelters could ho provided on the high ground at the east end to enable provision to he made for sanitary drainage to Frederick Street. YVo suggest that, in the construction of paths, no motor road lie constructed, the area to be used exclusively by pedestrians.” Approval of the plan was signified by the council, which decided to supply the Terrace End Progressive and Development Association with a copy of the report, together with the plan and tentative proposals for the lay-out of the pit. PROGRESS OF NEGOTIATIONS.

Cr J. Hodgens, M.P., and the city engineer having been authorised to confer with tlie Railway Department regarding the terms upon which tlie department would- agree to dispose of the whole, or a further portion of the area than the southern end, reported that they had been joined by Cr G Tremaine (chairman of the reserves committee) in tlie deputation to tlie Railway Department. Before a definite agreement was settled, Messrs Birtenshaw and Davis, representing the department, together with the district engineer, would visit the pit and discuss the matter with them on the spot. Tlie department, it. was reported, had been very sympathetic, and agreement had been reached on the following tentative arrangements;— (1) The offer of the southern portion of tlie pit by the department is ahout two-thirds of the excavated area, and lias a frontage of la chains to Main Street (from Fitzroy Street). (2) The department will not excavate any portion which is shown on tlie plan as subdivided into sections. This will he retained by the department for building purposes or for private sale. 13) Tiie department will retain tlie right to remove metal from the face of the pit (south-eastern corner). (4) Consideration will ho given to altering the present curve of the lines in the pit and. if this work can he done, additional portions of tlie' pit floor can he handed over to the council with the idea that 'tlie department will retain merely a strip of tlie excavated area for access purposes. (5) The department lias no objection to the council immediately proceeding with work at the pit subject to a£ rangements being made with tlie tenant. In tin's connection the department is willing to give the tenant three months’ notice of termination of his agreement, unless arrangements can lie made by tlie council that the tenant should surrender his occupancy of the pit floor.

The report was received on the motion of the Mayor (Air A. E. Afansford). It was derided to thank the department for its co-operation and Crs Tremaine and Hodgens for carrying the negotiations through successfully to the. present stage. Meanwhile it is intended to carry tlie work of development on as far as practicable on the land available.