Submission of Central Riccarton Residents’ Association Inc on Christchurch OPEN SPACE STRATEGY 2010:

The Christchurch City Council requires developers to make reserve contributions. The amount of over $5000 per dwelling unit is a sizeable sum given the large number of units erected in the Riccarton area in recent years as well as all the monies collected in years previous. Because the area we represent is among the most densely populated in Christchurch City, we believe it is very important that there are spaces suitable for use by the following three categories of young people: very young children (who are always accompanied by their caregivers), children aged 10 – 12, and teenagers and young people at university (or at another tertiary institution). At present the pocket parks on Mandeville Street and Picton Avenue do not meet the needs of all three “categories”. Indeed there is no park currently in our area where a rugby ball or football can be passed or kicked around or a game of “backyard cricket” or volleyball, for example, can be played. Teenagers living in one of the many units in our area are effectively being forced to play on the streets because they live in townhouses or units with no backyard. Since there is not one suitable park in our area, let alone a number of parks, this situation is detrimental to the quality of life of residents. Effectively the Council practice of not having provided parks for outdoor activities is having the result of driving some young people into anti-social activities. Our Association asks the Christchurch City Council to provide suitable parks in our area to meet the needs of all the residents in the area.