Category: History

Residents have plenty of opportunities to connect with & utilise the existing local green spaces, through Christchurch City Council parks/walking trails/fruit trees, school grounds, community gardens, birdsong trails, Dudley Creek/Esplanade Reserve & the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor.

Many residents are unaware of what is available in their ‘local backyard’, which is where the Christchurch City Council can help to inform & educate residents.
– Inform: through https://www.ccc.govt.nz/ (Environment, Rec & Sport, Parks & Gardens, Council tabs), https://smartview.ccc.govt.nz/ & Tree Planting Guide etc.
– Educate: through our local Christchurch City Libraries with the help of our local ‘information specialists’ librarians: learning spaces, guest speakers, park rangers, non fiction books, displays, landscape design, garden tours, seed libraries, plant swaps, ‘learning through action’ school programme etc.

This is one of the many reasons why a new ‘community hub’ (library/learning spaces/community centre) at the Shirley Community Reserve is important, to connect locals with the existing green spaces & facilities in their ‘local backyard’.

The Shirley Community Reserve is centrally located at 10 Shirley Road, Richmond, connecting the communities around: Shirley, Dallington, Richmond, Edgeware, St Albans & Mairehau.

The land at 10 Shirley Rd is classified as reserve, vested in the Council by the Crown to be held ‘in trust for local purpose (site for a community centre)’. It also appears the land could not simply sit ‘vacant’ with the reserve status unchanged, as that would also be inconsistent with the reserve purpose.

Since 1915 when the original Shirley Primary School was built, the 10 Shirley Road site has historically been a ‘place of learning’ as a ‘place for cultural, educational and recreational activities’.

Community Education: “Climate Change 101”
Climate change is a big picture issue. How can we break it down into achievable practical day to day tasks/changes to the way we live in Christchurch?
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/community-education/

“What if We Built Our Communities Around Places?
Placemaking inspires people to collectively reimagine and reinvent public spaces as the heart of every community.”
“Every place already has a story to tell — placemaking just brings that story forward.”
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/placemaking/

Landscape Ideas for the Shirley Community Reserve:
Natives Garden, Wellbeing Sensory Garden, Basketball Area & Playground
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/landscape-ideas/

StoryWalk(R): Promoting literacy, reading, health, exercise, and movement in communities and neighbourhoods. Connecting books about trees/birds/climate change to local park trails.
https://letsmovelibraries.org/storywalk/

Earlier this year the Christchurch City Council consulted on the ‘Ōtautahi Christchurch Urban Forest Plan’, which “provides a long-term vision and strategy to maximise the health and sustainability of the city’s urban trees and forests and the benefits we receive from them.”
https://ccc.govt.nz/the-council/haveyoursay/show/572
https://ccc.govt.nz/environment/trees-and-vegetation/urbanforest

My submission: #50581, Page 275-278: https://ccc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Consultation/2023/02-February/Urban-Forest-Plan-submission-table-for-public-20230601.pdf

1. Christchurch City Council Parks
In Richmond, we have access to the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor, Avebury Park, Richmond Village Green, Richmond Park, Petrie Park, Dudley Creek Esplanade Reserve & the Shirley Community Reserve.
– Parks: https://smartview.ccc.govt.nz/play/parks#/@172.65369,-43.50847,15
– Location Map: https://smartview.ccc.govt.nz/map/layers/parks#/@172.65369,-43.50847,15
– Accessible Parks: https://www.ccc.govt.nz/parks-and-gardens/accessible-parks
– Sports Parks:
MacFarlane Park (Shirley), https://goo.gl/maps/QhThPt1nuTxAm8UE7
Richmond Park (Richmond), https://goo.gl/maps/13AEMPazxMbRxmhg8
St Albans Park (St Albans), https://goo.gl/maps/98f3mpMW1tPiV1xR8
Westminster Park (Mairehau), https://goo.gl/maps/cc8c5m19k7KD393e8
Walter Park (Mairehau), https://goo.gl/maps/jVh8C8fEskeZKGXz7
– Basketball Courts:
Shirley Community Reserve, Richmond (Half Court), https://goo.gl/maps/912h2UUc99K2dRQG6
Avon Hub, Richmond (Full Indoor Court), https://goo.gl/maps/unZcBWFDRTsBNUFE9
MacFarlane Park, Shirley (Full Outdoor Court), https://goo.gl/maps/SF5CGR7i6fhZiBc47

2. Christchurch City Council Walking Trails
– There is a CCC Walking Trail that starts in the Shirley Shopping Centre, located at the corner of Hills & Shirley Road.
– Through the Dudley Creek Esplanade Reserve: 159 Slater Street, Richmond, path from Slater Street to Shirley Shopping Centre (corner of Hills & Shirley Road).
https://goo.gl/maps/Ji5haPVwJxgBF1167
– Then follows the Dudley Creek through the back of the Shirley Community Reserve, along Julius Terrace, across a footbridge to Stapletons Road.
– The landscaping work that was done, as part of the Dudley Creek Flood Remediation, has created a picturesque ‘inviting and accessible waterway corridor’.
(See ‘Dudley Creek Flood Remediation’ https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/historic-landmark/ & https://riseuprichmond.nz/dudley-creek/)
https://smartview.ccc.govt.nz/map/layers/walkingtracks#/@172.65369,-43.50847,15

3. Christchurch City Council Fruit Trees
Fruit Trees: https://smartview.ccc.govt.nz/play/trees#/@172.65369,-43.50847,15
Location Map: https://smartview.ccc.govt.nz/map/layers/trees#/@172.65369,-43.50847,15

4. School Grounds
“The Shirley Community Reserve is central to our 14 local education providers, all are within 3km of the 10 Shirley Road site.”
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/local-education-providers/
Collaborate with the Ministry of Education, to add trees to school fields as protection from weather & fruit trees for children/local community to eat.
“Enviroschools is an environmental action based programme where young people are empowered to design and lead sustainability projects in their schools, neighbourhoods and country.”
https://enviroschools.org.nz/regions/canterbury/

5. Community Gardens
– MacFarlane Park Community Garden, Shirley
https://shirleycommunitytrust.org.nz/activity/community-garden/
– Dallington Community Garden
http://www.ccga.org.nz/garden-directory/dallington-community-garden/
– Delta Community Garden, Richmond
http://www.ccga.org.nz/garden-directory/delta-community-support-trust/
– Richmond Community Garden
http://www.ccga.org.nz/garden-directory/richmond/
– Packe Street Park and Community Garden, Edgeware
http://www.ccga.org.nz/garden-directory/packe-street/
– St Albans Community Garden
https://www.facebook.com/groups/sustainable.stalbans.christchurch/

6. Birdsong Trails
– Dudley Creek Trail, Richmond (2018)
“Bring residents out into their local communities to appreciate the existing tree canopy while walking along Dudley Creek & finding information about local birds/sites/Dudley Creek Flood Remediation.”
https://riseuprichmond.nz/dudley-creek/
– Richmond Wayfinding Signage Ideas (2020)
“‘Medium’ Ideas: Bird House & Bird Feeder on a post. Low cost project, great way to involve children & families. These could be painted so they are very visible & attract attention. Easy to identify the next stop on the trail.
This area is already home to many different birds, adding a bird house brings the birds down closer to the people using the trail & adding a bird feeder is an interactive way people can help increase the bird population.
Add info about each NZ bird species to a different bird house/feeder, link to the Department of Conservation website, info about each bird/sound recordings/habitat etc.”
The Green Lab Richmond Community Projects Joanna Gould, Page 1
– “Richmond Community Wayfinding is the first phase of a wayfinding route through Richmond and the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor. The project began in conversation in late 2019, and was designed and built with community members in 2020.”
“The route was determined by those with keen knowledge of local histories, and a later stage of creating QR codes linking to site information along the way is planned.”
https://thegreenlab.org.nz/richmond_community_wayfinding/
– MacFarlane Park Trail, Shirley (2022)
“As part of a series of initiatives to increase pride in the park, the Birdsong Trails aim to create liveable spaces for the winged members of the Shirley community.
Several urban corridors run through MacFarlane Park connecting schools, housing and two community centres. Children and parents walk along these pathways on the way to school and to the community gardens every day. To make the walk more attractive, The [Shirley Community] Trust had the vision of planting the corridors with native trees and shrubs. This would thereby attract the birds and create opportunities for future education initiatives.
The long term goals of the Birdsong Trails include working with the schools to build bird houses and bird feeder stands, provide education about bird life and improve the ecosystems for native wildlife.
Already looking to extend the Birdsong Trail, the Trust is working with some experts from Lincoln University who could plant five varieties of harakeke. These will provide food for the birds and in time, could be used for teaching weaving and tikanga classes.”
https://shop.topflite.co.nz/blogs/news/good-egg-the-shirley-community-trust

7. Dudley Creek
– “Landscape and natural features: Dudley Creek is a defining feature and important open space for this Character Area. Extensive recent work along the banks of the waterways in Dudley have opened up spaces that contribute to the amenity and value of the area for the community and residents.”
Christchurch City Council Character Area Dudley Design Guide (2019)
https://ccc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Consents-and-Licences/resource-consents/Forms/Character-Areas/Dudley-Design-Guide-2019.pdf, Page 2
– https://dcmurban.com/urban-design-public-spaces/dudleycreek
– https://seipp.co.nz/projects/dudley-creek-bridges/
– https://seipp.co.nz/projects/dudley-creek-flood-remediation-bypass-outlet/
– https://newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/dudley-creek-bypass-nearing-completion
– Dudley Creek Esplanade Reserve: 159 Slater Street, Richmond, path from Slater Street to Shirley Shopping Centre (corner of Hills & Shirley Road).
https://goo.gl/maps/Ji5haPVwJxgBF1167
– “I’m always amazed when I find little pockets of Christchurch that are wee gems like this – I think unless we live or work in an area we never really get to know other parts of the city all that well.”
https://christchurchdailyphoto.com/2018/09/06/dudley-creek-planting-near-hills-road/

8. Dudley Character Area
“Vegetation and street amenity: Established vegetation including trees, shrubs, hedging and lawns within front and rear gardens are a feature of Dudley.
Mature street trees especially on Dudley Street and along the waterways contribute significantly to the Character Area by creating micro-climates, shade and an attractive appearance.”
“Generally an intact original subdivision with generous section sizes and a general spaciousness.”
“Balance of house and garden size: A feature of Dudley is the consistent balance between house and garden size…with modest house footprints, generous separation between houses and gardens that contain substantial vegetation.”
Christchurch City Council Character Area Dudley Design Guide (2019)
https://ccc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Consents-and-Licences/resource-consents/Forms/Character-Areas/Dudley-Design-Guide-2019.pdf, Page 2 & 3

9. Dudley Street Trees
“Dudley Street Oak: The trees are Quercus x heterophylla, aka Bartrams oak, which are rare in both the Christchurch and NZ context. Arguably, they also constitute the single most significant feature in the Dudley Street Character Area.”
https://goo.gl/maps/2hcH5BeRCvAtVh5i9

10. Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor
https://www.ccc.govt.nz/parks-and-gardens/regenerationareas/otakaro-avon-river-corridor/
https://www.ccc.govt.nz/parks-and-gardens/explore-parks/residential-red-zone/
http://riseuprichmond.nz/red-zones-future-ideas-map-by-joanna-gould/
http://riseuprichmond.nz/red-zone-futures-heritage-dr-christine-whybrew-from-heritage-new-zealand/
http://riseuprichmond.nz/draft-oarc-regeneration-plan-tell-our-stories/
http://riseuprichmond.nz/draft-oarc-regeneration-plan-visitor-experience/

On a map, the ‘You Are Here’ icon is a reminder of your location.
‘You Are Here’ locators are usually to help tourists or those new to an area, find their bearings again & see which way they need to go.

Currently ‘You Are Here’, in these communities surrounding 10 Shirley Road/Shirley Community Reserve:
Shirley, Dallington, Richmond, Edgeware, St Albans & Mairehau.

“Our communities are ethnically and socially diverse.
We have areas of social deprivation, and others of relative well being.
We have increased social housing, and increased high density, infill housing. As our population grows, the demand for community facilities grows also.
Church facilities can be a barrier for some of our secular community members. School facilities are often limited in the times they are available. Private venues are too expensive.”
https://www.shirleyroadcentral.nz/the-future-for-shirley-road-central/

Whether you have just arrived in this country, recently moved into these communities, here temporarily (renting) or permanently (bought a house), while ‘you are here’ welcome to the Shirley Centre, ‘a place to be’, within our local communities.

The 10 Shirley Road site/Shirley Community Reserve is a destination greenspace, a historic landmark within our local communities, located near Hills Road, with our main bus routes traveling through this area & bus stops on either side of Shirley Road.

The original Shirley Primary School was built on this 10 Shirley Road site in 1915.
In May 1977, the building and site became surplus to the Ministry of Education requirements.
In March 1978, Shirley Community Centre opened as a ‘place for cultural, educational and recreational activities’.
The land at 10 Shirley Rd is classified as reserve, vested in the Council by the Crown to be held ‘in trust for local purpose (site for a community centre)’.

Q. What is the definition of a community centre?
A. “Community centres are public locations where members of a community tend to gather for group activities, social support, public information, and other purposes. They may sometimes be open for the whole community or for a specialized group within the greater community.”
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_centre

The 10 Shirley Road site is central to our 14 local education providers, all are within 3km of the 10 Shirley Road site:
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/local-education-providers/

There are currently no local ‘suburban’ sized Christchurch City Libraries in the Innes Ward.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-library/

The current Shirley Library is located in the carpark of The Palms (Burwood Ward).
https://goo.gl/maps/WJihLrU5XP5TVDPM6

By relocating the current Shirley Library onto the 10 Shirley Road site, it will be easier to find, with better parking & access to public transport, a central location to connect residents from the surrounding communities, with the existing local community centres & facilities.

https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/bumping-spaces/

The Shirley Centre is ‘a’ place to be, not ‘the’ place to be, as there are a variety of different community facilities in these communities:
https://smartview.ccc.govt.nz/map/layers/communityfacility#/@172.65355,-43.50796,14

The difference is access to the Shirley Centre wouldn’t be restricted, based on whether you fit the criteria/demographics, for the provided activities/events.
‘You Are Here’ where you can just ‘be’, you’re not required to ‘do’ anything.

Our local communities don’t need another ‘traditional’ community centre, we need a ‘future focused’ community centre…
The Shirley Centre/Citizen Hub would be a ‘fit for purpose’ building with more floor space, flexible spaces & a bigger selection of books in the new Learning Library.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-centre-concept/

Learning Library: ‘a place to be’, inclusive, accessible, intergenerational, third place, bumping spaces, within our local communities.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/learning-libraries-concept/

Q. What is a library?
A. “1% building with books…
99% the social and cultural infrastructure of a community.”

https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/third-place/

Libraries are ‘third places (social)’ the ‘living room’ of society in our communities.
We have many in our communities who don’t have a ‘second place (work)’: stay at home parents, caregivers, retirees, unemployed, people working from home etc. Some due to their circumstances don’t feel like they have a safe and relaxing ‘first place (home)’.
This is why it is so important that our ‘third places (social)’ are welcoming and inclusive for everyone in our communities.

“Libraries are one of the few public spaces left in our society where you’re allowed to exist without the expectation of spending money.”
Amanda Killian

Mental health & wellbeing literacy/education needs to be in our local communities, in our free inclusive accessible safe civic places: our local suburban Christchurch City Libraries with our ‘information specialists’ librarians.

We teach our children from an early age, if you have a question or need help, that it’s ok to ask our librarians.

“Libraries allow children to ask questions about the world and find the answers. And the wonderful thing is that once a child learns to use a library, the doors to learning are always open.”
Laura Bush

Our librarians can direct us to the ‘right info at the right time’, whether it be connecting you with a book, news article, community education, support service, community facility, community group…
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-centre-concept-image/

Outreach opportunities for local & central Government, NGOS, & support services in our local suburban library learning spaces:
‘Participate, Engage, Observe’
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/instore-demonstration-concept/

‘You Are Here’, this is a safe place to be, for whatever you are going through. Take what you need to find your bearings again, before you see which way you need to go.

“Everyone of us needs help at some point in our life. And, the more that we can lift up those who need it the most in our community, the more the community itself betters.”
John Rivers

“Tangata ako ana i te kāenga, te tūranga ki te marae, tau ana.
A person nurtured in the community contributes strongly to society.”

In a world that is constantly telling us to ‘do’…
the key to wellbeing is found within the actual word: wellBEing.

“I am a human BEing, not a human DOing.
Don’t equate your self-worth with how well you ‘do’ things in life.
You aren’t what you ‘do’. If you are what you ‘do’, then when you don’t…you aren’t.”
Wayne Dyer

Hence, what we really need in this world, is more of this:
Welcome, ‘You Are Here’ & you have ‘A Place To BE’, within our local communities.

https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/placemaking/