CITY AMENITIES

Evening Star, Issue 23384, 29 September 1939, Page 9

CITY AMENITIES

TRANSFORMATION AT CHINGFORD PARK IHAMVES FACILITIES AT WOODHAUGH DEVELOPMENT OF PICNIC PLACES To the vision and foresight of the superintendent of reserves (Mr D. Tanock) may be attributed the transformation that has been effected at Chingford Park, the Woodhaugh Gardens, and the immediate environs of both places, and with the amenities now available, both places should! prove among the- moat popular picnicking spots within easy access of the city. Dunedin is by nature well endowed with such reserves, but for a scene of serenity and peaceful beauty Chingford Park would be hard to surpass, and to its natural advantages have now been added, through the work of the reserves department, those amenities and facilities which should make it a popular haunt with parents and their children.

Since last summer there has been completed at Chingford Park a new swimming pool, largely for the enjoyment or children, though it will be open also for adults. It is 119 ft long ana 52ft wide, and during the week its depth will range from 2ft at the shallow end td 4ft at the deep end. and over the week-end, when it is anticifated it will bo more largely patronised y adults, the depth will be increased to 4fb at the shallow end! and 6ft at the deep end. Two commodious dressing sheds, built of rustic logs, front tho, pool, the entrance to which will be gained from h children’s playground. This cover? an area of about an acre, which has Men laid down in grass. This should be firmly established! when the time cornea for the opening of the new pool, expected to take place at the Labour Day week-end. At one end of the pool, two terraces have been planted in grass, and here will-be placed, seats where mothers will be able to view their children at play either in the swimming pool or in the paddling pool which has been constructed on the other side of the terraces. This is approximately 17yds long and, 10yds wide. A rustic atbor has heen constructed for shelter in case of rain, and provision is also being made for facilities to enable picnic parties to "boil the billy.” . The banks of Lindsay's Creek have been, fenced off with wire netting io that, there is no danger of little children, wandering'a way and falling into the creek. Conveniences have been erected a suitable distance from the pool, ahd further Improvements to this park are being effected on the opposite aid* of the creek, where levelling and draining .are taking place of an area whifch could provide tennis courts and crwuet lawns if they were desired. Water will be running through the swimming pool continually, the inlet hoiag.near the bridge, situated close to th# pool, and th© t outlet at the other end. A sandpit is also provided for the amusement of children.

It it anticipated that the swimming pool at Woodhaugh will be opened about the same time as that at Chingfotd Park, hut dressing sheds have yet to he erected there. Provision for their construction has already been made by concreting in front of their site. The Woodhaugh pool is 108 ft long ati4 33ft wide, and it will be of the same depth as that at Chingford, _ The ground on each side of the pool be sown in grass, and Woodhaugh’s attractions as. a picnic ground have been further enhanced by the provision of a model motor boat pool, which has been completed and is now ready for filling with water. Ilia paddling ipool, one of the most spacious of its kind in the Dominion, and the sand pits have already proved very popular at Woodhaugh. The deaning-olit process that has taken place at Woodhaugh is already showing effect. Before this fuchsias and such like were almost dead and showing no growth whatever ; but natives planted among the fuchsias artnow showing signs of progress, and In time this reserve should be provided with a natural forest. In many places where overgrowth has beeii cleared away, black pine may be seen in a process of regeneration, and at the present time native birds are to be seen' in fairly large numbers. A visit to either Chingford or Woodhaugh is well worth while.