Banks Peninsula is the stadium: Outdoor recreation and recovery in post-earthquake Christchurch

Abstract

Following the Canterbury earthquakes, recreational access to the Port Hills neighbouring Christchurch City was compromised with 50kms of paths and tracks closed due to rock fall hazards (ECAN, 2014). Three years later, while approximately 30kms of track has been re-instated, just over one-quarter of Christchurch residents report loss of access to the natural environment as a major factor negatively affecting their well-being (CERA, 2014). In the academic literature, there is growing recognition of the important relationship between participation in outdoor recreation and well-being at various levels, and opportunities to engage with nature in relative proximity to home have high potential to improve physical and mental health, maintain social relationships and promote environmental conservation values. Public parks and open spaces, through provision of multiple services to human communities, can be seen as intermediaries between natural and social capital (Blaschke, 2013). While a Green City emerged as a key theme for post-quake Christchurch, the potential for expanding outdoor recreation opportunities on nearby Banks Peninsula as a component of the earthquake recovery has yet to be properly explored. This paper examines the established relationship between outdoor recreation and environmental values and presents recent local research into the current and potential use of the Spine of the Lizard, an existing network of tracks on Banks Peninsula (Holland, Espiner, & Stewart, 2014). It will be suggested that improving this network would help realise a graduated range of accessible and relatively safe front-country recreational opportunities for individuals, families and youth organisations thereby making an important contribution to the social and physical well-being of residents in post-quake Christchurch.