The magnificent Hagley Park, where the Christchurch folk walk, jog and play, covers 165 hectares (407 acres) of the inner city. Almost every sporting activity imaginable is played here, from petanque to New Zealand's national game, rugby. In summer, outdoor concerts are held in this English-style park, which is replete with many large beautiful trees. Declared a public reserve in 1856 by European settlers, city laws state that the park must remain intact. Features include a fitness track, an outstanding springtime woodland area, a perimeter track for walkers and joggers, a golf course, a quaint band rotunda, tennis and netball courts, and a cricket pavilion believed to be the oldest in the southern hemisphere.
