Avonhead Park

Avonhead Park spreads across 23 hectares on Hawthornden Road in Christchurch's west, its playground just one corner of a park built for organised sport as much as free play.

Equipment

Diverse play structures cater to toddlers through to older children, set within grassy open space that doubles as a football and cricket training ground on weekday evenings. A dirt bike track gives older kids somewhere to build speed away from the main play area, and a usually dry creek running through the park gives younger explorers a safe patch of rough ground to poke around in. Tennis courts and basketball or netball hoops sit nearby for anyone wanting a hit or a shoot around before or after a turn on the playground.

Access and Inclusion

A walking track loops the park's open grass, and pram accessible paths connect the car park, playground and sports fields without forcing families onto rough ground. Public toilets sit close to the play area, and ample parking is available on site for visitors arriving by car. Seasonal cherry blossoms along the paths make a spring visit worthwhile even before reaching the equipment.

History and Cultural

Avonhead takes its name from one of Christchurch's earliest homesteads. Engineer William Bayley Bray, who arrived in the First Four Ships era of the early 1850s, built his house near the head of the Avon River, and the spring fed area that grew up around it was first known as Avonwood before officially becoming Avonhead in 1959. The park has also become a home ground for Canterbury's small junior baseball scene: Baseball New Zealand held a national 15 and under trial there in November 2015, drawing about 15 Canterbury juniors, and Canterbury Baseball fielded eight junior teams plus Kiwiball and under 13 and under 15 sides playing on Sundays.

Practical Info

Address: 146 Hawthornden Road, Avonhead, Christchurch 8042. On site parking is available, and the park is reachable by public transport and major roads. Public toilets and seating are provided, and the park hosts football, tennis, baseball and casual community events throughout the grounds.