Hagley Park

(Originally written by Gordan Oglive) 

The Deans brothers arrived in Christchurch in 1842, they traveled up the Avon river  in a whaler until the shallow water forced them to row in a Maori canoe.Some people thought that  the Deans brothers made an agreement with William Fox that Hagley park would act as a buffer between their farm and new township.

In 1855 when the new provincial government took up the job of the Canterbury Association,a law was passed which made the land known as  Hagley Park shall be for all time known as a public park,and be open for the recreation and enjoyment of the public.


First Plantings
The first European plants/trees were grown by the Deans brothers. The  oldest remaining tree in Christchurch is a pear tree planted by the Deans in 1846 in Ricarton


Further Developments

In 1873 a Domain board was selected to take care of Hagley Park.Different attempts were made to collect money to run the park,including a nursery for plants for instance Olive,Tobacco,mulberry and Arrowroot and different medicinal plants.

The total width of Hagley Park and  Goverment Domain was recorded as 495 acres in 1895.Just above 9 acres had been given to Christ's collage in 1855 in exchange for land in the Cathedral Square.

Conclusion:Hagley  Park is important to Christchurch as it is our oldest park and people can use it to exercise,play sport,and enjoy their recreation time. BY MOLLYANNE!