Domain a big and beautiful asset
Many of us have been out and about, enjoying our exercise during lockdown, in what has been a perfect and spectacular autumn.
With a lot of the narrower paths out of bounds due to not enough social distancing space being available the best option has been to wander the wider expanses of open parkland.
Would it surprise you to know that the largest urban park in the Timaru District is the Temuka Domain?
It borders the southern residential area of the town to the east of the railway line with the Temuka River on one side and Domain Ave on the other. It covers an area of nearly 75 hectares overall.
The rich history of the area goes back to pre-European times when Maori travelled between the Opihi River mouth and Arowhenua via the lower river terraces and crossed the river at a point near the present railway bridge.
The early European pioneers were assiduous in planting a great selection of trees throughout their region and as a result there is a good amount of wind protection. This benefits the domain enormously and provides a fabulous scattering of stately and mature trees.
There is also a small area of native bush planted in 1910, called Gunnion’s Bush. It was planted by
Gunnion himself, a former mayor and well-known personality. To be found near the camping ground area, it includes some significant trees such as totara and kahikatea.
The first entrance to this peaceful parkland is through a pillared pedestrian gateway, erected to remember the local men who died during the South African war 1899-1902.
The Temuka War Memorial is also nicely positioned in a garden setting surrounded by magnificent trees further into the domain. There is also a vehicle entrance set into the block wall bordering Domain Ave.
Dotted throughout are an array of sporting clubs and recreational areas and these are well utilised and appreciated by many members of the Temuka community as well as visitors wanting some fresh air and a chance to explore.
We do have a tendency to take our surroundings for granted but, perhaps, the recent Covid-19 confinement levels we’ve gone through have provided us with the chance to rediscover these beautiful open parks and outdoor areas.
I wonder if our ancestors had any idea of how important the spaces they set aside and planted so carefully would be a century plus into the future. Such wonderful and appreciated foresight.
– Karen Rolleston