Pick a picnic spot in the red zone

Pack the car, grab your whānau and enjoy some of Christchurch’s hidden spots in the red zone this summer.

Di Madgin’s garden and Adventure Ave

Park up at a picnic table next to the playground or lay a rug on the ground and take a break with the tranquil remnants of a home garden created by Di Magdin, an area which is now cared for by the Avon Ōtākaro Network. While you’re there, pop over to Adventure Ave, an environmentally friendly space designed by kids for imaginations to run wild. There’s a treehouse inspired play structure, a small pump track and lots of native planting to enjoy.

Pop-up nature play space

Pack a picnic and check out the pop-up nature play space at River Road. Council rangers have set up a picnic table hidden in the shade within the mini woodland space. Let your tamariki play with nature with logs and a grass maze set up, as well as a hill for rolling down. Parking on Stanmore Road or Harvey Terrace.  

Mini ngahere space at Dallington

Make the most of the mini ngahere space at Dallington while it remains undiscovered. Surrounded by new plantings that will eventually grow into forest is a tiny wee remnant of trees – walk inside to be transported to the wild. The native planting was previously someone’s front yard and is now being cared for by the Avon Ōtākaro Forest Park. The space has a canopy of striking trees including tōtara, red reech, akiraho, rewarewa, kapuka, kōwhai and two large hīnau.

Christchurch's red zone 

Edible garden retreat

Check out the Burwood Organic Community Garden, tucked away down a slope off Cresswell Avenue. A set up of a picnic table and chairs allows you to have your lunch surrounded by green veg and fruit trees. The area is cared for by a small group of volunteers, but you’re invited to pull out a weed or two while you’re there – while making sure to leave the produce to grow.

Southshore circle

Take a short walk from the end of either Mermaid Place or Tern Street in Southshore and you’ll find a talking circle of wooden mushroom-esque seats. The Southshore circle is within the regional park on the estuary edge which is now surrounded by red zone land. Take a seat, bask in the sunshine and enjoy the amazing views across the estuary.