Publications
Management plans
Burwood Park Management Plan, 1992
Recreation
Burwood Park is a major suburban recreation ground; its broad open spaces the venue for a wide range of sporting activities.
Archery
A long time user of Burwood Park, the Christchurch Archery Club occupies the large open space (1.86 hectares) along North Burwood's eastern boundary. Relatively sheltered from the north east winds, this is the major archery ground in Christchurch. Largely a summer sport, members of the Christchurch Archery Club also use this ground throughout the year to practice their skills. The Club's use of this ground is currently exclusive.
The archery targets are located toward the park centre and are shot at from a distance of up to 90 metres, depending on the range of the archer. A considerable distance is also required behind the targets for overshoot. During shooting the line of danger is defined by red flags which the archer is required to set out prior to shooting to alert other park users.
A small pavilion at the northern end of the archery lawn has been used by the Christchurch Archery Club in the past. The size and dilapidated condition of this building however
has rendered it almost useless to the club. Over the years various proposals have been considered with respect to replacing this pavilion or relocating the archery to another venue.
Ideally, the Christchurch Archery Club would like an indoor stadium to complement their outdoor ranges. However, this form of development has been rejected as unsuitable for Burwood Park because the scale of such a building would not be compatible with the Burwood Park open space. Consequently a number of other sites where both an outdoor and indoor range could be accommodated have been investigated over recent years.
After a long period of uncertainty for the club, a suitable alternative site has not been found. At the Burwood Park Reserve Hearing, the Panel heard and acknowledged that the Christchurch Archery Club wished to stay in Burwood Park.
In their decision the Hearings Panel stated that the Christchurch Archery Club should not be relocated unless the Club itself decides to move to an alternative site in the future. The Panel also agreed, subject to Resource Consent, that the club could replace or extend its existing clubhouse.
Responding to the increasing demand for sports grounds in Burwood Park, the Panel also supported the integration, in consultation with the Archery Club, of winter codes into the archery lawn. This will necessitate the use of light weight, moveable targets to replace the current fixed targets and the upgrading of the archery lawn to sports ground standard. When this is complete, it is proposed to allocate a compatible combination of summer and winter codes to this ground. Note that the redevelopment of the archery area to sports grounds has been scheduled for 1993/94 in the Park Unit's Three Year Major Works Programme.
Cricket / Hockey / Soccer
The large open areas to the west of the archery lawn are utilised by conventional winter and summer sports. The winter codes include hockey and soccer, while the grounds are used exclusively for cricket during summer.
These codes are serviced by the East Christchurch - Shirley Cricket Club and Pegasus Hockey Club Pavilion which overlooks the No. 1 cricket ground. This two storeyed structure also overlooks the single hockey ground which lies to the west of the cricket pitch.
A soccer pitch used by the Burwood Association Football Club is also accommodated in this space. It lies on the eastern side of the cricket pitch, occupying a portion of the cricket outfield. Unfortunately however, some conflict exists between the soccer and the cricket as a result of the damage sustained to the cricket outfield during the winter. The Reserves Hearing Panel noted that the relocation of soccer from this area of North Burwood Park would simply displace another code.
Lying on the southern side of the pavilion the two main hockey grounds are sited. Cricket is also played on these grounds during the summer.
This area is also used for night time sporting activities following the installation of two training lights in 1988 by the Pegasus Hockey Club.
Burwood Bowling Club
The Burwood Bowling Club was established in 1958. Originally only a single green, another green was added to the complex in the 1960's. In 1983 the Bowling Club pavilion was extended.
Today, the club has a combined membership of approximately 250 in its men's and women's outdoor club. In addition, the Burwood Indoor Bowling Club, the largest indoor bowling club in Christchurch with 100 members, is a sub-tenant of the club's indoor facilities in the winter months.
With the strong demand on facilities by the Bowling Club membership, the club has experienced difficulties meeting the needs of the members within the park setting. For example, there has been a long standing need for more formal carparks to service the Bowling Club. See the Carparking Section.
Other problems faced by the Club include liquor licence requirements, and the need to provide for passive recreation within the complex. The Burwood Bowling Club also indicated in their submission on the draft management plan, that the club would like to construct a covered international sized bowling green and to extend the Club to the east with the addition of two new outdoor greens.
These proposals however were not supported by the Reserves Hearing Panel which considered that Burwood Park was not large enough to cater for such a facility. In declining this application, the Panel also noted concern about the impact on other park users, the visual amenity of the park and that the provision of adequate carparking for such a facility could not be provided without using valuable park land.
The storage of the hockey goal nets and the cricket nets along the bowling club's northern fence is another problem which the club would like to see resolved. Because the stored nets rest on the wire netting which surrounds the bowling greens, they have in the past caused damage to this expensive netting. In addition children climb on the goals and attempt to climb the bowling club fence. An alternative storage site for these nets would resolve this matter.
Rugby
One full sized rugby ground, a junior ground plus a training area are located in South Burwood Park in the large open space which lies adjacent to New Brighton Road. Use of these grounds is extended by training lights located to the north of the tennis courts.
While well utilised in the winter, these grounds have not in the past been used by summer codes. In recent years however, rugby touch sevens has been introduced as a result of the increased popularity which this sport is experiencing. The eastern junior ground and training area which is lit has been marked out for this code.
The rugby grounds in South Burwood Park are serviced by a changing room/toilet facility which is located along the western boundary of the Burwood Park Tennis Club. However, due to the overcrowding of this facility which is experienced at peak times, the Shirley Rugby Football Club seeks permission to extend this building. In considering this request, the Reserves Hearings Panel noted that South Burwood Park will continue to be an important training and playing ground and that an extension to the changing rooms is necessary in order to cater for rugby's long term requirements.
Tennis
The Burwood Park Tennis Club is the oldest tenant in the park having been on the present site since 1934. A new pavilion was built on the original site in 1984, and the four courts were relaid in 1988.
The Club in 1991 had a membership of 290, 155 of whom were senior members and 135 juniors. Because this membership had been increasing progressively over the years, the club applied to Council in early 1991 to obtain additional leased land on the park to allow for four additional courts. The club submitted that these courts were required to meet the needs of the members and to develop the junior section of the club. At present the club is having to use 8 courts at two other locations to cater for the club membership on Saturday mornings.
The club also applied for a club liquor license, approval to erect a second storey addition to their premises and to install lights for night tennis. These proposals were circulated in 1991 to the surrounding residents for comment.
Tennis Court Extension
The letterdrop which was distributed to local residents showed the four court extension in a position directly to the north of the existing courts. Of the responses received from the adjoining residents, several were opposed to the tennis court extension on the grounds that further development of the park would restrict the general public's use of the park.
The Burwood Park Tennis Club's application was considered at a Burwood / Pegasus Community Board meeting in April 1991. The meeting resolved that the "Burwood Park Tennis Club's application for extensions be considered in the context of the (Burwood Park) management plan."
Accordingly, the tennis court extension application was considered in the draft management plan which incorporated a range of options which were intended to generate further discussion. The following options for the tennis court extension were presented in the draft management plan.
Option 1: Four court extension to the north into the adjoining rugby grounds.
Option 2: Four court extension to the east.
Option 3: Two court extension to the east.
Option 4: Status quo (No extension).
In the associated discussion in the draft plan, it was noted that open space and rugby grounds would be lost in Option 1, whilst Options 2 and 3 both involved the loss of park trees. It was also noted that trees could be replanted, whereas open space when lost to development is very rarely returned.
It was further argued that one of the major features of the south Burwood rugby grounds (apart from catering for various existing recreational activities), are the attractive views across this space from New Brighton Road. Currently taken for granted, this vista would be seriously compromised if the tennis courts were extended into this area as per Option 1.
Additionally, quality sports grounds are at a premium in this part of the city and the loss of a floodlit training ground and junior sports ground would place additional pressure on the city's eastern sports grounds, representing a serious loss to the city sports grounds.
With respect to the trees which lie within the tennis court extensions in Options 2 and 3, it was noted in the draft management plan that many are quick growing species which generally do not carry a high amenity value. For example the dominant trees are all varieties of poplar (Populus spp.). These have grown to immense proportions at the expense of other less aggressive species which include a number of Carpinus, Acer, Fraxinus, Prunus and Crataegus which are very poor specimens, exhibiting poor form, stunted growth and various health problems (see Appendix 1).
The Decision
In their submission to the Reserves Hearings Panel, the Burwood Park Tennis Club noted that their preferred option had always been for the four court extension to the north (Option 1). However the club acknowledged that this option intruded into other playing fields and for this reason the Club had redirected their focus and support to Option 2, the four court extension to the east . The Club also submitted that a 2 court extension and Option 4 (no extension) did not meet the needs of the Club.
While the Tennis Club's application was well supported by members of the club and public, a number of respondents were opposed to any extension of the tennis courts on the ground that they would intrude into open space, that trees would be lost and the park landscape would be affected. An intensification of the traffic and carparking problems experienced in Cresswell Avenue and the Club's dependence upon a continuing strength in leadership in order to maintain its current popularity were other concerns voiced by local residents. Other respondents favoured a two court extension and one suggested a three court extension.
In their decision, the Reserves Hearing Panel was mindful of the need to retain open spaces for passive use and the retention of features which enhance the park. The Panel also considered that the Tennis Club had a right to remain in the park and to provide facilities for the membership which it serves. Believing that a balance must be achieved between the use of the reserve land by sports clubs and passive users, the Panel were of the opinion that a three court extension to the east would meet the demands of the Club and result in the retention of more trees. By not proceeding with the fourth proposed court, additional space will also be saved in this corner of the park for passive use.
To enable access to the courts by local residents, the Panel also recommended that the present procedure for making keys available to members of the public could be improved and that the courts be offered to schools on weekdays.
To compensate for those trees which will be lost with the extension, replacement planting is be carried out to the north of the tennis courts. It was noted that the Tennis Club has offered to water these trees until they become firmly established. Those trees located along the southern boundary of Burwood Park not affected by the extension are to be retained to screen the courts from Cresswell Avenue. Although the Club will experience some shading and litter from these trees, the Panel considered that the benefits of their retention would outweigh the potential disadvantages to the Club.
Note that the three court extension will be sited over a Southpower cable which cuts across the south eastern corner of Burwood Park. Rerouting of the cable was considered, however a much simpler solution was found which will enable any fault to be repaired without digging up the overlaying tennis courts. Prior to the laying of the courts it is proposed to lay several ducts alongside the Southpower cable, through which the cable could be relaid in the event of a failure.
Pavilion Extension
As discussed, the Burwood Park Tennis Club in their original application, in addition to the court extension also applied to Council to enlarge its building from 137 m2 by the addition of a second storey of 184 m2. This proposal met with considerable opposition from the adjoining residents who opposed this application on the grounds that a two storeyed addition would block the views from local houses and detract from the overall amenity of the park. Furthermore additional carparks would be required with the increased floor area, and it was expected that traffic and after hours noise would increase.
For similar reasons the Parks Manager also did not support this part of the application in his report to the Burwood Pegasus Community Board, who resolved that this matter be considered in the context of the management plan. The Board also turned down their application for a Liquor Licence due to the perceived impact on the adjoining neighbourhood.
It is recognised however, that with three additional tennis courts, the demand for club facilities will increase and the club will again seek to extend their clubroom. Because a two storeyed extension has been rejected, the addition of a single storeyed extension is the only option available to the club (the open area to the east of the pavilion may be suitable). Note that the Tennis Club have not formally applied for an extension and that such an extension would require Resource Planning consent.
A review of the Burwood Park Tennis Club's carparking situation would also be required if the club sought to both extend the pavilion and apply for a liquor licence. The Burwood Park Tennis Club currently has the use of 26 carparks, however, the number of required carparks would increase from 10 to 20 parking spaces per 100m2 of public area should the club apply for a liquor licence. Note that further encroachments into the park for the provision of additional carparking in the vicinity of the Burwood Park Tennis Club will not be supported.
Passive Recreation
A variety of forms of passive recreation are carried out in Burwood Park. Much of this activity is concentrated in the vicinity of the two children's play areas which are located in the northern point of the park and to the west of the Burwood Park Tennis Club.
The northern play area comprises a range of adventure type play structures nestled amongst the sand dunes and pines. Items include a flying fox, a maze and climbing frames in addition to seating and a picnic table. Rebuilt several years ago after a fire, this interesting and challenging collection of play structures is designed for older children. Constructed primarily of timber, the shaded nature of this area currently restricts the use of this play equipment in the cooler months. For this reason some reduction of the vegetation in this area is proposed to extend the use of the equipment.
In addition a BMX track is located in the north western corner of North Burwood Park which takes advantage of the undulating landform, and complements the adjoining adventure play area.
Note that it is proposed to remove a grouping of poplars which lie on the southern boundary of the BMX track to extend the outfield of the No.1 cricket ground. This will require realignment of the BMX track boundary and also the provision of a new end support for the flying fox which is currently supported by these poplars. Consideration will also be given to the provision of a ball stop behind the wicket.
The South Burwood play area comprises more conventional play equipment including two swings, a slide, a rocking horse and a climbing frame which are grouped under the trees near Cresswell Avenue. Two seats located nearby allow for parental supervision of this equipment which is aimed at a lower age group than the northern adventure structures.
None of the Burwood Park play equipment has approved undersurfacing. While the ground under the northern equipment comprises a layer of sand and pine needles which is relatively soft, the southern equipment is over hard compacted ground.
The Parks Unit has undertaken to provide undersurfacing for all play equipment in the city with the undersurfacing of the South Burwood play equipment to be carried out in association with the redevelopment of this area. Other features to be incorporated into South Burwood will include a new children's play structure to cater for younger children, litter bins, seating and planting to create a sense of enclosure and some protection from the north easterly winds. Note that a sum of $12,000 has been allocated in the Parks Unit's Three Year Major Works Programme for 1994/95, for this upgrading (subject to future change by Council.)
Other forms of passive recreation taking place in Burwood Park include strolling, jogging and walking the dog, with these activities tending to take place in the treed margins rather than the open spaces.
|
