Avon Park is a flagship regenerative project situated along the Ōtākaro River, serving as a key geographical and cultural marker within the evolving Christchurch Red Zone. Designed to restore ecological function and reconnect communities to the river, the park exemplifies landscape-led urban transformation—where environmental resilience, cultural identity, and inclusive public space converge.

The project spans a significant portion of the river corridor, requiring coordination across multiple disciplines, stakeholders, and legacy land conditions. Its complexity lies in balancing ecological generosity and hydrological technicality with community amenity, cultural expression, and long-term adaptability. Drawing inspiration from historic riverine landscapes in the shape of a lower terrace, the design reintroduces wetland ecologies and native planting, welcoming the river back into the landscape and enhancing flood resilience for surrounding neighbourhoods.

A strengthened upper terrace provides universal access and recreational infrastructure, including tamariki-informed play features and flexible gathering spaces. These elements are woven into a narrative-rich environment shaped by Mana Whenua input, where stories of people, river, and land are expressed through planting, spatial arrangement, and embedded cultural markers.

Location: Ōtautahi (2023 - ongoing)
Client: Christchurch City Council
Role: Lead Project Landscape Architect (with Isthmus)
Collaborators: Tonkin & Taylor, Instream Ecology, Underground Overground Ecology, SimplyArb, Playground Centre
Photography: Miscellaneous