Waipukurau Rich In Parks and Gardens

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 72, 17 December 1937, Page 31 (Supplement)

Waipukurau Rich In Parks and Gardens

"LUNGS" OF THE TOWN

River Offers Camping, Fishing and Swimming WELL-EQUIPPED MOTOR-CAMP The parks and reserves have be$n described as tbe "lungs" of a town; certainly the nnmber and natnre of them weigh heavily in its favour. Judged by this standard Waipukurau cannot be said to be found wanting. The foresight and public•piritedness of the residents are best reflected in the way in which the town has been provided with parks and open spaces. The Paul Hunter Memorial Park, an area of five and a-half acres, situated on rising ground at the back of the town, is a quiet and restful spot. Seats beneath shady trees abound and, being built on a sloping hillside, the park provides healthy exercise in hill-elimbing for those who desire it. Inside the entrance gates in Kitchener street there is an avenue of native trees and shrubs leading up to the Plunket Rooms and Women 's Rest. In this avenue may be noticed specimens of the lacebark, broadleaf, birch, totara, tarata, matipo, karamu, rimu, ngaio, koromiko, and other trees found in the New Zealand bush. At the summit of the hill is the reservoir which supplies the district with its water .supply. From therc a fine view of the town of Waipukurau and the surrounding district can be obtained. The' panorama stretches across the plains to the hills which completely encircle the town. The course of the Takitaki river, which meanders across the foreground is plainly visible, and at right angles to this, the railway line can be seen winding across the plain until it disappears amid the distant hills. At thp foot of the hill are situated the Plunket Room and the Women 's Rest, and arrangements are in liand for the erection of a large public swimming pool here. Beautifully laid-out gardens make A'Deane Park another of Waipukurau 's leading attractions. This park consists of one and a-half acres. It is situated on the Porangahau road, toward the hospital, but only two or three minutes' walk from the post office. Swings and slides for children are provided in a playground at the side of the park, while in the park proper there are flower-beds, lawns, ornamental shrubs, and winding paths. Russell Park, beside the Tukituki traffic-bridge at the entrance to the town, covers an area of 13£ acres. Here cricket, tennis, and other sports are played, the Russell Park Tennis Club being a well-known and popular club. Next to Russell Park are the grounds of the Waipukurau Croquet Club. Opposite the park is the motorists' camp, a pleasant site beside the river and well sheltered with trees. A community kitchen with a fireplace, water, sink and benches is provided. There is shelter for cars and two asphalt tennis courts are provided for the use of campers. Near the motorists' camp is the BOwling Club's green, and Central Park with its pavilion one of the best football grounds in Central Hawke's Bay. On the other side of the town is the racecourse with its gtands and pavilions, the grounds running down to the fringe of Lake' Hatuma — a pieturesque spot. Lake Hatuma, with its wide stretch of blue water, is & popular attraction close to Waipukurau, and boating and fishing on the lake are popular. Red and yellow kowhai blooms in profusion make an ideal setting for picnic parties at Mt. Herbert, a scenic attraction about three miles by road from Waipukurau. Here the cool waters of the Tukituki river, flowing through the bush, form a paradise for swimmers, and in the summer Mt. Herbert draws crowds from all over the district. As soon as work is over, many drive to Mt. Herbert for a swim when the days are hot. The river is fringed with handy, shady banks, where small children may play and paddle in eompletc safety. It is equally popular with campers, who find that amid its beautiful native bush and ferns they may have complete rest. The Boy Scoiits frequently hold week-end camps at Mt. Herbert. The locality is noted for the number of opossums which abound there. Waipukurau has much to offer the visitor and tourist. One of its chief attractions from the visitor 's point of view is the exeellently-appointed hotel, and for the camper there are some ideal camping sites along the Tukituki river. A specially fiHie camping site is to be found at the edge of the Tukituki river, about two miles toward the Pukeora Sanatorium. This spot is a favourite with fishermen and there are plenty of wood and water handy. The Tukituki itself is a pretty river b^dered with willows and running over a clean, shingly botton. In its waters ther^ are both the fighting rainbow trout and the large brown trout. Other forms of sport besides fishing are catered for. A few miles out good pig hunting is available and a certain amount of decr-stalking is done in the Whakarara hills. Ducks, hares, rabbits, quail and swans abound throughout the district. There are two golf courses, one of nine holes at Mt. Herbert, on the outskirts of the borough, and another of 18 holes at Marakeke, a little further out. There is a fine bowling green and a lawn tennis club with eight courts, while the St. Andrew's Club has two good hard courts. The town possesses a particularly fine banl, which plays frequently in the main street on Saturday nights and also givcs open-air concerts at the public hospital and in the parks from time to tiine.