Hagley Park, Christchurch

This is Hagley Park in Christchurch, New Zealand, the largest urban open space here at 164.637 hectares. It was made a public park in 1855 by the Provincial Government, which decreed it would be "reserved forever as a public park, and shall be open for the recreation and enjoyment of the public." It’s known for its trees and broad open spaces. The park was named after Lord Lyttelton's country estate, as he became chairman of the Canterbury Association in March 1850.

It’s located west of the central city. Deans Avenue forms its longest road boundary, and it’s one of The Four Avenues that mark central Christchurch. The suburb of Riccarton is adjacent to the western side. The Avon River naturally bounds the park to the north and northeast, with Moorhouse Avenue and Hagley Avenue forming the southern and southeastern boundaries. Along the eastern side, the park is defined by a two-kilometre loop of the Avon River that extends into the park.

Inside that river loop are the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, which are 21.14 hectares. There are frequent bridges connecting to them. The Botanic Gardens have flowers and trees from around the world and attract many birds, drawing sightseers to view the plants and wildlife. The Canterbury Museum and Christ's College also use land within this river loop.

Two main avenues divide the park into three parts. Little Hagley Park, which is 6.96 hectares, is the northern unit. South of Harper Avenue is North Hagley Park, at 87.17 hectares. South Hagley Park is 70.507 hectares and lies south of North Hagley Park, separated by Riccarton Avenue.

There were ideas in the 1860s to connect Armagh Street with the Great South Road, now Riccarton Road, by building more roads through the park.

Hagley Park was used for horse races in its early days. It's often been a place for large gatherings, like the Great Industrial Exposition of 1882, the New Zealand International Exhibition in 1906–1907, and a 2019 national memorial for the Christchurch mosque shootings victims, which drew 20,000 people. It has also hosted the Electric Avenue Music Festival. In 1906, the Australasian tennis championships, now called the Australian Open, were held here as part of the Grand Slam, and Tony Wilding won the singles event.

You’ll find a golf course in North Hagley Park. South Hagley Park has several netball courts, the Hagley Oval cricket ground, and a heliport for Christchurch Hospital. There's a weekly Saturday parkrun in North Hagley Park.