Friday 30 October 2009

Friday My Town Shoot Out - Park Landscapes

This week's subject for the Friday My Town Shoot-out was chosen by JarieLyn from Nevada. Pay her a visit to see her park landscapes.

I've chosen to focus on two sports parks and a park in the middle of Whangarei.

This is Kensignton Park, on the north side of Whangarei, the hub of winter sports in the region. My granddaughters play netball on the courts in the foreground, while other youngsters play hockey and football in the background.


On the south side of the city Okara Park is the home of rugby union and cricket. The rugby grounds are undergoing a major revamp and there was no way the construction workers were going to allow a lady in heels to wander around their site taking photos. So I went to the cricket club instead. I thought my heels would be just as unwelcome if I wandered past this sign on to the grounds.
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Especially when a group of official looking men strode out to inspect the pitch.


I've never before actually noticed the cricket pavilion and how very colonial it looks - especially when I remember this area was a carpark in my younger days.


One day during the week when I had more sensible footwear in the car I visited Mair Park after work.



The weather was cold and windy with scattered showers (I sound like a weather report!) which was fine by me because I like to have places to myself. But the playground looked a bit forlorn.




Just across the grassed area is the entrance to a lovely, tree lined bush walk.


And right next door to Mair Park is another sort of park, for holiday makers.


I wanted to include this park because last year, during a winter storm, here on the farm we were without power for six days. My biggest problem was where to have my daily shower and the lovely lady who runs this park said I was welcome to use their facilities for $2 a day. So, if ever you find yourself in the north of New Zealand looking for a place to clean up, I can highly recommend this park.

16 comments:

  1. Such beautiful scenery and I love the cricket pavilion.

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  2. Mair Park looks like just the place for a quiet walk. Lovely.

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  3. I like the cricket pavilion. The idea of you wandering round the cricket pitch in heels amuses me no end for some unaccountable reason. I sort of imagine you sinking in and getting stuck. Do you ever have silly thoughts like that? I really must visit Whangerei this year.

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  4. GB, it was worse than you imagine, I think. I walked around the outside perimeter and, looking around rather than in front of me, I stepped in wet cement. I thought just as well they hadn't let me on the construction site!

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  5. Hello Pauline,Some lovely shots of your local parks. I especially liked the cricket pavilion.Have a wonderful weekend.

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  6. the pavilion is a grand looking place! parks are always so beautiful and full of fun and people. have a great weekend!!

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  7. The bush walk sounds lovely too. Barry and I enjoy walking in the woods. Your grass looks so green. It is wonderful to have so many places available for recreation and for the community to socialize. These are lovely pics, Pauline. Thanks for sharing,

    Best Wishes from Barry and Linda

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  8. Very nice place to wander around and apparently get stuck in cement. LOL. At least you could clean up in the showers for $2!

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  9. Pauline, I love New Zealand! Just read the thoughts b/w you and GB :). You're too cute.

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  10. That's funny about getting stuck in the cement, and here you were worried about getting into trouble messing up the grassy area. I really like all the beautiful scenery in your area. The bush walk looks like a path I would enjoy but I really like the RV park.

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  11. Oh hon...the second park is beautiful..I so want to hike there!! Lovely shots! Sarah

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  12. Oh my gosh! Your parks are gorgeous!!! So lush! Believe me, I would be hiking around in there all the time!

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  13. I liked the path through the trees!

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  14. What a lovely trip through the sports areas and the park - wish I could go there! Loved all the shots of trees, especially (greenery not much in evidence where I live). Thank you, Pauline.

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  15. I am more than half way down the list and just realized that so many of us took lots of park photos without people, how funny...nothing wrong, just an observation...

    I like how you felt you were out of alignment...I feel the same way today. I do not want to cook dinner, just sit peacefully and read blogs :)

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  16. Wow, the cricket pavilion is gorgeous! I think you should have gone on the field with your heels - you could tell those guys you were aerating their grass!

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