Hagley Park, Public park in Christchurch, New Zealand
Hagley Park is a large public park in Christchurch divided into three connected sections spread across a wide area. The Avon River runs around the grounds creating natural boundaries, while paths and green spaces link the different areas together.
Hagley Park was established in 1855 by the Canterbury Provincial Government, whose decree reserved it forever as a public park open for recreation and enjoyment. It takes its name from Hagley Park, the country estate of Lord Lyttelton, chairman of the Canterbury Association from March 1850. In its early days the park was used for horse races.
The name comes from Hagley Park, the Worcestershire estate of Lord Lyttelton, chairman of the Canterbury Association from March 1850. Crowds gather here for events: the Great Industrial Exposition of 1882, the New Zealand International Exhibition of 1906–1907, and a 2019 memorial of 20,000 people for the mosque shooting victims. The Electric Avenue Music Festival has also been held in the park.
The park is bounded by Deans Avenue to the west, Moorhouse and Hagley avenues to the south and southeast, and the Avon River to the north and east. Two avenues, Harper and Riccarton, divide it into Little, North and South Hagley Park. The Botanic Gardens, Canterbury Museum and Christ's College occupy the land inside the river loop, linked by frequent bridges.
Hagley Park hosted the Australasian tennis championships, now the Australian Open, in 1906; Tony Wilding beat Francis Fisher in three sets in the singles final. The park also held the New Zealand International Exhibition of 1906–1907 and a 2019 national memorial attended by 20,000 people after the Christchurch mosque shootings.
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