Recreation

Walks

Waterway walks

Farnley Reserve & Beckenham Ponds

The Heathcote River describes a series of attractive bends and loops as it winds through the suburbs of Beckenham, St Martins and Opawa. The Beckenham loop has many surprises, including the attractive Farnley Reserve (with its surprising sculpture) and the unique Beckenham Ponds — a tiny remnant of the original raupo swamp that was once extensive in this area.

Walk — Beckenham River Loop

This walk follows a long loop of the Heathcote River along banks of willows and native plants on a journey through the suburb of Beckenham. The walk begins and ends at Beckenham Park, beside the Beckenham Ponds and rockery.

The Beckenham area was used by Maori for gathering food when the land was marshy and consisted mainly of raupo swamp. But the only remaining area of the marsh today is the Beckenham Ponds, formed from natural springs.

From Beckenham Park the walk goes downstream and across the first footbridge, turning right to follow Palatine Terrace upstream. Continue along the pleasant track which has extensive native tree and shrubs planted, to a river jetty and seats at the secluded Farnley Reserve behind the Centaurus Road shops. The eel sculpture is a delight.

Continue along the grassy bank by the river until you reach an old iron bridge on your right, which crosses to Waimea/Eastern Terrace. Follow the river on Waimea Terrace for 500 metres and cross a ramp footbridge. Just on the left is Remuera Park.

Continue up the river along the attractive path in front of Thorrington School. Native plantings have enhanced this area and there is another river jetty built in co-operation with Thorrington School. Follow along Hunter Terrace behind the Cashmere Club and cross the river again at the next footbridge.

Turn right, then left into Sandwich Road. Follow this into Norwood Street and to the main gates of Beckenham Park. A walk through the park to the Beckenham ponds and rockery finishes the circuit, with a large children’s playground here as well. A perfect spot for a picnic.
Beckenham rockery was planted in 1932 and has an excellent variety of native New Zealand shrubs, including hebe, olearia, senecio and fuchsia.

From Bricks to Bouquets

Farnley reserve was created by the hard work of several community groups, notably the Soroptimist International (organisation of professional and business women) in partnership with the Waterways and Wetlands team of the Christchurch City council. This riverside area was little better than a watseland with litter, hard soil, and discarded rubbish from the old Farnley Brick and Tile Works from which the reserve takes it's name. Intensive planting of native trees and shrubs, construction of a river jetty, and the eel sculpture by Bing Dawe have transformed the area, and created a community asset.