Ashhurst
Green Spaces
The Ashhurst Domain
This is a native flora reserve, with a sheltered family picnic
area, a BBQ shelter, a children's playground including a flying fox, walking tracks through open park land, around the sports fields,
through native bush and
and down a trail to the Manawatu River beach where S.H. 3 crosses it, and access to where the
Pohangina River joins the Manawatu River.
Here you will
see and hear the Bellbird, Fantail, Tui, Wood
Pigeon, Pukeko, Silver eye and numerous introduced birds - Ducks, Geese, Paradise Ducks,
Sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Grey Warbler, Magpie, Blackbird,
Thrush and Rosella to name a few.
A restored wetland to the north east is easily viewed from a viewing
platform, with good views of the Ruahine Rangers. If you need help
identifying any bird or tree species, ask the Domain staff!
The domain is also a popular area
for people walking their dog. Remember to keep you dogs under
control. The
Ashhurst Kennel Club uses the grounds beyond the
northern end of the Domain.
The Ashhurst Model Aero Club uses the
river flats below the Domain, by the Pohangina River.
A 12 point Caravan / Camping ground is available -
contact the Ashhurst Domain staff if you want to use one. The
Ashhurst Cemetery is also located in the domain, reopened after a
dispute with the PNCC, who decided it was
no longer needed by the residents. Thanks to those who lent their
support in keeping this open.
Sports grounds include facilities for Rugby, Soccer
and Cricket, with sports changing facilities available for teams. These
fields are often used when the sports fields in Palmerston North are too wet to
use.
The changing sheds also have a viewing platform looking
towards the Tararua Wind farm, with information about the Tararua turbines.
The changing facilities have murals on them, painted by a local artist.
click one the following links to view them :
The new Cafe Domain opened here in 2005
(by the late Stewart Whitten), with good
views of the Ruahine Range Te Apiti wind farm, and the restored wetlands
(see picture at bottom of page). The old Ashhurst Jockey Club
changing shed is now used as a small bar, with old Historic photographs
hanging on the walls.
▲
Other Ashhurst Parks and recreation
areas listed alphabetically :
-
Cambridge Reserve
A walk way and reserve area linking Cambridge Avenue and
Diamond Court/Oak Crescent, with seating and native planting.
park pic
panorama photo
-
King Corners
Two small parks on the corners of Cambridge Avenue, Mulgrave Street and
Pembroke Streets. Originally part of a road reserve they
were cleaned up by the AAG in 2003 and opened for public access.
-
Lincoln Park Sports Grounds
Large park and sports ground at the Eastern end of Lincoln Street.
Used by the Ashhurst Athletic
and Harrier Club,
and the Ashhurst Pohangina Rugby Football Club.
-
Manawatu River Beach
The large open expanse of Manawatu River beach with vehicle access off S.H. 3
(not always suitable for cars)
and by walking through the Domain bush. Picnicking, swimming,
fishing, 4WD and Motorbike riding. A new parking area was
added in 2007/08.
panorama photo This years drought saw the Manawatu river at one
of the lowest levels in a long time - exposing the old bridge piles.
bridge pic
 |
The "dice"
on the Manawatu
River beach |
-
McCrae's Bush Reserve
An area of native bush
on a walking track between River Road, The Terrace and Wyndham
Street provides scenic views and copious native bird life.
-
Plunket Playground and Park
|
image
On Cambridge Avenue, beside the Ashhurst Plunket, opposite the Anglican Church, an
area of open ground and playground equipment, including a fort.
-
Pohangina River Beach
Access of the Saddle Road down onto the river beach area for
swimming and picnicking. The Saddle road bridge across the
Pohangina is being built and due to be open late 2006.
Continue up the Road to the windfarm.
-
Salisbury Park
|
image
Access off the East Side of Salisbury Street
between Wyndham Street and The Terrace, a small
enclosed grass area behind the houses of Salisbury Street and The
Terrace.
-
Village & Valley Centre
In the centre of Ashhurst, a multipurpose sports and function facility
that is used for a multitude of events from Basketball to Ashhurst
Ward Committee meetings to church services. The Ashhurst
Squash Club has it's courts here. Skateboard half pipe and
basketball hoop there
too. Has small committee room and kitchen facilities.
Site for the Ashhurst Fair (usually held in October).
-
Village Green and War Memorial
Opposite the Library building, the village green was
originally and simply known as the "triangle", with a band rotunda.
One resident said that his historical belief is that the
oaks in this park and the ones in the Village Green were planted
before 1906, possibly to mark the coronation of King Edward VII in
1901. The original War Memorial was upgraded by the AAG and
the Ashhurst
Lions Club in 2003.
Click for
large photo
of the 2004 ANZAC service and wall,
or the
village green
image.
-
Pit Park
A large open pit on Cambridge Avenue that was used as a shingle pit
for roading early in Ashhurst's history. Was the proposed site
of many things that have not quite happened, or were placed
elsewhere. Not zoned recreational at this time, but used by
many. Parking area for large trucks, and storage area for
shingle etc for the PNCC and Higgins when road sealing.
