The Groynes

Visitor information

Groynes Drive, off Johns Road (State Highway 1).

Gates open at 7am all year round.

Gates close:

• January–February 9pm
• March 8pm then 7pm (daylight savings ends)
• April 6.30pm
• May 6pm
• June–August 5.30pm
• September 6pm
• October 6.30pm then 8pm (daylight saving begins)
• November 8.30pm
• December 9pm.

About the park

The Groynes derives its name from large concrete blocks, made from concrete filled woolsacks, jutting into the Otukaikino Creek. The Otukaikino, once the south branch of the Waimakariri River, was separated from the main branch during the course of major works in the 1930's.

The Groynes is a great place for families with walking tracks, picnic areas and a dog exercise park.

The dog park at The Groynes offers an unprecedented level of freedom for dogs in Christchurch. Eight fenced-in areas, about 15 times larger than the old park, can offer all the delights of training, bush tramping and swimming for dogs, and all of it off-leash. The choices are many: two agility parks (one for small dogs and the other for larger dogs), a river park, a water park, an exercise park, a cross-country park and a picnic area. Also in the mix is a walking track along the Otukaikino River for dogs on leads. The dog park includes rubbish bins for dog waste and a formal car parking area

The main walking track is the Waimairi Walkway (5km return), providing a great opportunity for lovers of nature, walkers and athletes to escape the noise of the central city.

Picnic areas and coin-operated barbeques make it a popular spot for gatherings of friends and family.

The dog exercise parks is enclosed offering a safe place away from people and vehicles.

The lakes and waterways provide both recreational activities and habitat for wildlife such as trout and waterfowl. A suspension bridge crosses the river to a lake used by the Christchurch Model Yacht Club. Trout fishing is permitted but you need to obtain a fishing licence from a sports shop or from Fish and Game New Zealand. For safety reasons, a no fishing zone exists in the main picnic area.

The high recreational use and ecological values of the Groynes are considered in the development plan for the area. These will be enhanced and expanded upon in years to come.

Wildlife

The are usually many varieties of duck in residence, such as mallard, paradise, grey teal, brown teal and New Zealand scaup. Other birdlife evident includes kingfishers, quail, pukeko, finches, fantails, and swallows.

Along with the waterbirds, the waterways are also home to trout and other fish.

Within and around the Groynes habitat restoration is ongoing enabling more native wildlife to become resident in the area.

Plant life

After years of agriculture and changes over time to a predominantly exotic vegetation cover, small remnants still remain of common and rare native grasses, shrubs and other wetland plants.

The objective for future plantings is to contribute to and maintain the park’s historical features, maintain wide open spaces and create new variable sized spaces, enhance the ecology of the riparian edges, and provide native habitat and ecological interest. This will improve ecological values and recreation for future generations.

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