The land along the text downstream from text, from Avonside to Bexley and New Brighton, was severely damaged in the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. The ground was affected by liquefaction, making it unusable for buildings, and the affected areas were designated as “red zones.” 8,000 houses were affected, and the occupants were effectively bought out and moved. Following this, all the houses and services were removed, while the trees and bushes in people’s gardens remained. Access for cars to affected suburban roads and the roads that followed the river's edge was blocked off.
This then raised the question of what to do with the affected land. The debate has rumbled on, but the Avon-Otakaro Network has taken the initiative. Community groups led by the network advocate for the land to be transformed into a park connecting the central city with the estuary. Grass has been planted throughout the area and is regularly mowed, making it easy to walk around. Modest parts of the red zone have been converted to community gardens, and some effort has gone into mapping the fruit and nut trees. Even Google Maps provides the locations!
The walking and cycling paths along the river connect the central city to New Brighton, and the network has been effectively expanded with abandoned suburban river roads. It is easily the best city cycleway in the country. Along the way, panels describe events during and after the earthquakes.
Avonside was one of the affected areas and sits on the Avon River northeast of Central Christchurch. You can drive into the area on a major arterial road such as Retreat Road and park anywhere. From there, it is a surreal experience wandering along the river or around the broad open grassed areas with bushes and trees, in the knowledge that it was once a community. The once-suburban roads are still there, although the footpaths are disappearing under grass. We came across a small park with panels around its edge describing the personal experiences of many of the residents.
You can also glimpse the red zone from State Highway 74 between Aranui and New Brighton.
