The Port Hills

Recreation and facilities

Barnett Park

Barnett Park and John Britten Reserve.

Barnett Park occupies a unique place in the eastern City's park network by acting as a link between urban Christchurch and the scenic reserves and natural areas of the Port Hills.

Barnett Park is one of the most accessible tracts of public land on the eastern Port Hills which provides a diverse and attractive 'natural' aspect for active and passive recreation.

The rugged and sometimes dramatic valley topography creates opportunities for a recreation experience with spectacular views which is unavailable in the surrounding urban areas. The lower valley floor contains one of the few areas of flat land available for organised sporting activities in the Sumner / Redcliffs area, and is well used by local sports groups.

Access

There are two pedestrian and vehicle access points:

• Via the main entranceway off Main Road, where a sealed driveway leads to the main carpark. This carpark services the scout-den, sports fields, childrens' play area and the adventure playground.
• Via the entranceway off Bay View Road. This entrance provides access to the Barnett Park track.

Nearest Bus

30 Sumner, 31 Sumner via Ferry road. For further information check out the Christchurch City Bus Services at metro info.

Facilities

• Barnett Park Track: is a 1-1 ½ hour loop track beginning at the main carpark and skirting the eastern side of the playing fields. It then meets the Bay View Road access stile and continues up the valley. The walkway passes several large rocky outcrops and at it’s zenith offers excellent viewing across the estuary to the spit. A staircase leads up to a shallow cave. The track crosses over the small spring fed stream which is seasonally active, and continues on its downward path on the western side of the valley.
• Climbing areas exist to the west of Barnett Park track. See "Port Hills Climbing" by Lindsay Main, for details on rock climbing in the Port Hills.

Wildlife

Barnett Park was once home to a wide range of native birds. Remains of kiwi, weka, pigeons(keruru), rail, kakas parakeet (kakariki) and moa have been found in midden heaps that dot the valley. Native forest habitat loss has contributed to the demise of many of these species. Barnett Park however still attracts a number of birds to the area. These include the native harrier (kahu), bellbird (korimako), white-faced heron (kotukumoana) as well as the more common introduced songbirds and finches. A colony of kingfishers (kotare) nest in the eastern side of the valley and use the pylon wires as perches. Ducks populate the lower slopes of the valley and make use of the ponds which appear during wet weather.

Goat invasion of the park has been a problem resulting in damage to regenerating native plants.

Plant life

Barnett Park's sheltered location and seasonal stream has enabled small pockets of native trees and shrubs to survive in spite of years of grazing and fires in the pre European and colonial eras. These small pockets of bush are one of only four remaining natural bush remnants on the City side of the Port Hills between Dyers Pass Road and Godley Head.