Hagley Park
The Atrium is situated in Hagley Park, which, at 165 hectares, is the largest urban open space in Christchurch. Bounded by the beautiful winding Avon River and characterized by leafy trees and wide open spaces, the park was reserved forever for the recreation and enjoyment of the public by an 150 year old government decree.
Hagley was the location for the Great Industrial Exposition of 1882 and the New Zealand International Exhibition of 1906. More recently, it has hosted visiting circuses, open-air concerts, and the annual Ellerslie Flower Show. There’s also an 18 hole golf course, a cricket ground and several netball courts situated within the park.
The Christchurch Botanic Gardens are located within the area of the park, and contain a magnificent collection of beautiful flowers and trees from around the world set into peaceful and inspiring landscapes.
When the Botanic Gardens area of the park was first planted, beech, elm, chestnut, pine and oak trees replaced ferns, tussock and flax. In the 1870s, a commercial crops nursery was set up to grow olive, tobacco, mulberry and arrowroot plants to raise funds for the park’s management.
The two main avenues of Riccarton and Harper divide the park into three areas, which run from north to south. Furthest north is little Hagley Park, the smallest area. North Hagley Park, the largest area is in the middle, while South Hagley Park is furthest south. The Atrium is located in South Hagley Park.
