PARKLAND ON SIGNAL HILL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27060, 20 April 1949, Page 6

PARKLAND ON SIGNAL HILL

Transformation of Rifle Range Into Sports Area

Staff Correspondent The transformation of the now neglected Pelichet Bay rifle range into sports areas, and the planting of the slopes of Signal Hill as parkland, are suggestions that might merit the consideration of the committee which is to consider a suitable form of war memorial for the city. If these courses were adopted an area which, in its present state, mars the prospect from the centennial memorial on Signal Hill would be developed, and the memorial lookout would become incorporated in a greater scheme of civic improvement. The project would also be the logical extension of the large sports area at Logan Park, one of the city’s finest assets.

By straightening or piping the creek which borders the rifle range and by bulldozing a portion of the hill behind the Fever Hospital over the whole site of the range, an area at least 500 yards long by more than 100 yards wide could readily be made available for sports grounds. The range itself, it is understood, has been irrevocably condemned and in its present untidy state it is almost as great an eyesore as the gorse and scrub-covered hillside beyond it. This memorial scheme could be linked with the Signal Hill Memorial by constructing walks and a motor road through the area planted in parkland to meet the terminus of the present road from Opoho to the memorial lookout. Such a road would enable visitors to make a complete tour of the whole memorial area.

The planting of the slopes of Signal Hill in trees would remove the greatest blot on the present beauty of the city. If careful consideration were given to the types of trees planted, the view of this hillside from the upper slopes of the city could be one of constant beauty, and in the pattern of the planting it should be possible to arrange that at certain seasons of the year the contrasts in foliage would present a design symbolical of a tribute to the fallen. A memorial of this nature would not only enhance the appearance of the; city, but would provide urgentlyneeded playing areas for young people. The rapid expansion of Government housing settlements, without adequate provision for sports reserves, would appear to make additional public playing areas essential.