HASTINGS IS RICHLY ENDOWED WITH WELL-EQUIPPED PARKS AND GARDENS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 72, 17 December 1937, Page 19 (Supplement)

HASTINGS IS RICHLY ENDOWED WITH WELL-EQUIPPED PARKS AND GARDENS

One of the remarkable features of the development of Hastings is the fact that despite there being no natural waterway, few boroughs in New Zealand offfer the same wide scope of attractions as are offered by the reserves of Hastings. The four principal parks have been developed along entirely different lines in every instance, and each has characteristics and facilities that provide for the diverse needs of all the people. Pride of place for beauty and charm goes to Cornwall Park. Here the 20 or so acres have been designed on natural landscape lines with.the harshness-of regularity avoided. Broad iweepinglawns are relieved by heavy-pianting, accentuated depth and prospective and artistically desigiied lakelets. Shrubs and trees from all parts of the temperate world may be ssen and full advantage has been taken of the facilities offered to provide an ornamental effect. Cornwall Park may truly be said to be the "show place" of Hastings and as such it is fully appreciated for its beauty by townspeople and visitors alike. But Cornwall Park, too, has its utility _ purposes. A fine iportsground at one end is the headquarters of cricket in the summer months and of hockey and Soccer in the winter. Facilities for the younger members of the community in the way of a children 's playground are adequate,* and in additlon there is a very fine aviary which is well stocked wich a wlde range of hird life. The town's biggest reserve is Windsor Park, in the eastern ward. This truly is a fine breathing-space for the people of the district, It offers facilities that are unique, for what other town can boast of a golf course within the confines of its boundaries? Then again where else may one find a swimming pool for which no charge is made? Full advantage has been taken of the stream that flows through this portion of the town, and apart from the fact that there is one of the best-equipped motor camps attached to the reserve. Windsor Park offers every facility for healthy outdoor activity. ' An unusual attraction is offered at Ebhett Park, which has not been developed quite to the same extent as that of other reserves, but it possesses that which makes it unique. The entrance gates comprise valuable and beautiful specimens of Maori carving.* Some of these pieces of art are many many years old, the youhgest being at least 90 to a 100 years. Nelson Park is the fourth main reserve in the borough and it is strictly utilitarian in purpose, being used for all branches of field sports. Proposals are now under way for this area to be further developed and transformed into sportsground. It will be observed that the town has been provided with facilities. for the recreation and enjoyment of both its young and old at all parts of the borough, and provision has been made for the extension of these facilities, such as the development of the Civic Square and Willow Park road reserve.