A few days ago, I showed you a photo of the earthquake damaged land beside the Avon River. That was in my post ‘Ring in the Spring” which you may view here
Fissure
In that post, I mentioned the city plan to restore the Avon river and its banks and to create an extensive recreational and nature area along its course through the city.
A brief video of that plan can be seen here. http://ccdu.govt.nz/video-gallery. It is the third video called Design Concept which is the most relevant to this post. It won’t embed in my post but it is well worth a look.
The first section of the restoration project, the Watermark project, was completed and officially opened at the end of August; just in time to greet the first day of Spring. Last Sunday, on our Drive, we stopped to explore our new-look river precinct. The last time, we visited this section of the river, down near the Antigua Boat sheds, ( built in 1882 and still going strong) http://www.boatsheds.co.nz/history_pid_7.html was on New Year’s Eve 2012. It’s been a long while between visits, but lovely as the area was then,
and here are the THEN photos:
I think it is looking lovelier now. Here is the NOW photo:
Walking the Avon towards Montreal Street
Although you wouldn’t know it from my photos, lots of people were out enjoying the sunshine and the new aspect to our much-loved Otakaro/Avon River.
Here are some more NOW photos:
Canadian Followers! Did you see a reference to Montreal, as in Montreal Street? According to this website, http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/PlaceNames/ChristchurchStreetNames-M.pdf Montreal Street was named in 1850 after a colonial bishopric in Montreal, Canada. Montreal Street was first mentioned in the media in 1852.
© silkannthreades
silkannthreades 
Beautiful! And now you make me long for the tui. I really loved that bird from first sight (and hearing)!
At the moment, they are rarely heard or seen in Christchurch, so I am really looking forward to the day when they come and share our enhanced city environment.
What good news showing restoration. May the Tuis and native birds come to live amongst you all too. They are such a joy.
I can’t wait to hear my first Tui by the river!
Tui are magnificent. The air is still full on them here as the Kowhai’s continue to bloom. The population seems to have burgeoned in the last year or so.
My friend who lives in Karori always has masses of birds in her garden area. When she comes to visit me she can’t believe the silence or absence of bird noise. Do you think Wellington may be the bird capital of New Zealand?
It looks like a wonderful place for people to gather, I really like the big trees, and to know that the botanical gardens are nearby is a big plus. I know I would have my camera with me, Annie
You would get some wonderful photos in this area, Annie, particularly in our excellent botanical gardens.
It seems like a very worthwhile project. The plan seems great and the part already completed looks fantastic. A great river to enjoy now and long into the future!
We hope so!
Out of devastation comes beauty….gorgeous!
Indeed; it’s amazing how that happens.
simply beautiful!!! 🙂
Thank you 🙂 Yet another place you could rest and crochet 🙂
Tempting….
🙂
What a beautiful restoration project!
Here in Pittsburgh, PA have done much of this kind of work to our parks as some were in terrible shape.
I was lucky enough to work in a restored visitor center for Schenley Park and that was a great experience :).
Blessings, Joanne
How lovely that you had that opportunity. I think many cities are trying to enhance their riverways. Our little river was okay before but, with the earthquakes, we have been given an incredible opportunity to really do something wonderful with the river and its surroundings.
What they have completed so far is fantastic. The place is inviting to walk along. I guess it is going to be popular this spring time.
Thank you for your vote of confidence in our updated river area. School holidays (spring) begin soon, so I imagine a lot of people will be enjoying that area and the nearby Botanic Gardens.
I spent so much time near that part of the Avon – did nursing training at Christchurch Public Hospital…
I was thinking that there would be a lovely view of this area from the hospital. Did you go to the Boat Sheds and hire a canoe/boat to go on the river?
We often went on the Avon. They made a publicity film at one point of some of us being punted down the Avon by boys from Christs College. Have no idea what happened to it… The Hospital buildings were quite different back then.
What fun! Perhaps the film ended up in the National Film Archives, like these Canterbury films 🙂 http://www.filmarchive.org.nz/now-showing/reel-life-in-canterbury-4/view/2013-09-18
I’ll have to look – but it think it was an overseas company
Ah, you are an international star 😉
I found the video on the Avon restoration very interesting and informative. It sounds like they’re going to be giving the river a real ‘facelift’ or certainly a re shaping with reference to some aspects of it’s former existence.
Yes, I think it’s going to be excellent. I truly enjoyed walking along the small section of boardwalk near the Boat Sheds. Lots of new plantings in the water; attached to a some kind of netting frame which will make a type of wetland area eventually, I think. The possibility that we may, one day, be by the river, in the city, and hear Tui and other native birds is quite thrilling.
Every one of your posts gives me a new research project! You keep my mind active and open to new possibilities! Thank you!!! Interesting about the Montreal connection. We pride ourselves as being the generation that is the most “global” – it seems that there were others before us that were able to connect.and exchange ideas across the miles!
I think there were global adventurers always! And the funny thing is that, until I started blogging, I hadn’t really thought about why we had a Montreal Street! Nor did I connect Montreal Street to Montreal, Canada. Just shows how we negotiate our own territory in a stupor most of the time. Do hope you could see the video. It contains an image of Queen Victoria in her Square 🙂
It looks wonderful and I would love to walk along here in sunshine! Beautiful indeed!
In a few years time, when the native vegetation has grown and, hopefully, the birds have come back it will be even more beautiful.
Good morning
The image goes in line with you.
Blessed be every day.
I wish you a nice day.
Sincerely Andrea
Thank you Andrea.
**MANY HUGS**