CITY RESERVES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22718, 2 November 1935, Page 19

CITY RESERVES

NORTH END IMPROVEMENTS WORK AT BETHUNE'S GULLY Excellent work in the development of playing areas and picnic grounds is at present being done in the north end of the city by the Reserves Department of the City Council. The superintendent (Mr D. Tannock) has not yet been able to get hold of a large open space to provide a park area for football and cricket, but, failing that, he is making admirable provision for recreation places for children. Bethune's Gully, one mile from the Normanby tram terminus, is a case in point, and, although it is still in the process of formation and clean' ing up, it has already earned a wide popularity as a picnicking spot, a fact which was evidenced by the several organised picnic parties which made use of its delightful combination of bush and etream and open spaces. Since this area of hill and valley, through which Lindsay's Creek runs, came into the hands of the Reserves Department, a great deal of work has been done. The flats along the banks of the stream have been drained and are now being levelled to provide playing fields, and later they will be equipped with swings, eee-saws and the other appurtenances of children's playgrounds. Bethune's Gully is admirably suited to children's picnic* and other similar occasions, being absolutely safe and at the same time providing the maximum of diversion. When it is properly tidied up it will undoubtedly be one of the most popular spots of its kind in Dunedin. Its development into a general playground has been rendered possible only by the use of unemployment labour, and since the work involved is practically all manual labour, its conversion into a city reserve has been carried out at practically no cost whatever to the ratepayers. In the Woodhaugh Gardens further improvements have been carried out, and this delightful corner is now in readiness for the summer months, when crowds make use of it every week-end. The cleaning up of -the bush and the removal of parasitic and weed growths that were choking good trees and making everything look untidy have proved very effective, and the bush proper ie now coming away nicely. One of the greatest improvements which the small fry will notice in this ■ reserve is the extension of the children's paddling pool, which is now almost twice as long as it was last season. The paving and concreting of the bottom has just been concluded and nothing now remains but to turn the water in and fill it up. In its present condition the pool should provide perfect facilities for young model yacht owners. Another work that Is nearing completion in the north end is the playground in Dalmore crescent, the site of which was purchased by residents and handed over to the Reserves Department. From a rough and unsightly gully, generally used as a communal rubbish tip, it - has been transformed into a. terraced area in which the children of the neighbourhood can en joy themselves to their hearts' content practically under the windows of their homes. This is another of the operations that has been carried out by unemployed labour. The area is at the bottom of the gully, the banks on either side being planted with trees and shrubs, while the flat terraces have been grassed down preparatory to the installation of swings and other devices.