Welcome to the best (as in the most beautiful) bus stop in Christchurch. It is on Grants Road in the suburb of Papanui.
From the bus shelter, it’s a short, short walk to the sculptured entrance way to one of our city’s treasures; a walkway that follows a waterway that was once little more than a drain. With careful planning and planting over the years, the waterway has been transformed into a lush habitat full of thriving native plants.
The entrance way 
The sculpture represents a restored waterway with all its many forms of life.
Here is the waterway in its abundant new form.
Considering how little rain we have had, you can see, by the amount of water still in the waterway, that proper planting of riparian areas does help conserve water. 
Whichever way you look, there are rich vistas of native plants 
Our city council receives its share of fair and unfair criticism especially in these stressful post earthquake times. Today, I want to praise the council and their workers, and all the hard-working ratepayers, who make possible wonderful walkways like this. We had a jewel of an afternoon under glorious blue skies gently warmed by the autumn sun.
© silkannthreades
silkannthreades 
I have come back a couple of times to take a good look at the artistry that begins with a bus stop – public transportation. To me, that says it all. This walkway and art belongs to everyone. I agree – you have a great council.
Yes, public transportation is so important. We hope that our new post earthquake city will have public transport and cycleways that are the envy of the world. Dreaming big, you understand.
No other way to dream…
Riparian planting seems so simple and sensible doesn’t it…..once you know about it. Thank you for the photos showing me how a drain can be transformed. And I see you have another post from that area. I’m off to read that one now:-)
It seems simple but I was looking at all the council and consultation documents involved in the planting plans and after two pages of reading my head was hurting with all the details. I was just happy to enjoy the outcome of the policy and processes.
Wow that is heavy stuff. I am well out of touch with such matters now. We get so bogged down in red tape now.
We certainly do.
The more photos you put the more I like to see it with my own eyes. It is wonderful where you live.
I tried to take a video for my post so you would be able to get a better picture of our environment. Put I deleted it when I tried to load it on to my computer. That was my first attempt ever, so I obviously need more practice. 🙂
Great photos!
Thanks. Lots of blue and green but no real red :0
Hmmm, what is going on with the lack of red…. Maybe time to plant some red flower seeds. 😉
Well, there is some rusty red in my post. Maybe that counts a little.
It counts but red flowers would help. 😉
Smart planning and smart planting make such a difference, don’t they? A beautiful spot for an afternoon stroll…
A big difference. I admire people who know how to do these things. It’s another wonderful day and I hope we can get out again soon.
Thanks again for the glimpses of home
Wow! Christchurch is so lovely anyway. This is icing on the cake!
It really is.
What a beautiful walkway and bus stop. I love when everyday architecture such as bus stops are interesting and beautiful, enriching our lives rather than draining them!
As far as I know, this is the only bus stop of its kind in Christchurch. The rest of them are pleasant enough in style but are relentlessly vandalised. This one seems to survive relatively unscathed. So does that make vandalism an angry protest at boring and/or ugly?
How interesting. Perhaps you are right and the vandalism is a protest to the boring and mundane!
I am trying to put a positive spin on it.
Happy world water day – you are obviously very much in harmony with your surroundings!
I was yesterday and then I went to sleep wondering what music delights you might have for me this week. No pressure!
I’ll try not to keep you waiting too long. We moved house this week, so things have been a bit chaotic!
Take your time. Good music keeps forever. 🙂
That is beautiful. I hope those residents are enjoying the new path behind their homes. I find most people who travel paths like this are very well mannered and respectful of people living nearby.
I think so too. The path is adjacent to a retirement complex and the senior citizens from there enjoy using it, as do school children walking or biking to/from school. People seem to stop and greet each other which they rarely do if they are bustling along a sidewalk.
gorgeous day! It’s been a while since I have seen blue skies…I’m glad you enjoyed it in the way that you did!
And we have more blue sky today. If we get outside, it’s a boost for our Vit D levels.
Very beautiful pics, I enjoyed them all!
I am glad. After completing the post I discovered that Friday 22 March is World Water Day. I accidentally chose the right subject to write on for this day.