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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 :

panel one  |  panel two  |  panel three  |  panel four  |  panel five  |  the fun mural


Cafe Domain - Currently For Sale

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.


Click here for reference map of Ashhurst Parks

 

restored wetlands
The Restored Wetlands and the Ruahine Rangers from the viewing platform
click image for a large panoramic photo (note that this was taken before the te apiti wind farm construction)
 


A
shhurst Domain Native Bush


Ashhurst Domain looking across the Sports Fields
click here for larger image


 

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