Hamilton Gardens

Hamilton Gardens
Location Hamilton East
Hamilton
 New Zealand
Coordinates 37°48′17″S 175°18′14″E / 37.8046°S 175.3039°E / -37.8046; 175.3039Coordinates: 37°48′17″S 175°18′14″E / 37.8046°S 175.3039°E / -37.8046; 175.3039
Created 1960s
Operated by Hamilton City Council
Visitors One million per year

Hamilton Gardens is a public garden park in the south of Hamilton owned and managed by Hamilton City Council in New Zealand. The 54-hectare park is based on the banks of the Waikato River and includes enclosed gardens, open lawns, a lake, a nursery, a convention centre and a cemetery. It is the Waikato Region's most popular visitor attraction, attracting more than 1 million people and hosting more than 2,000 events a year.[1][2]

Hamilton Gardens is described in popular culture as a botanical garden,[3] but does not technically qualify as a botanical garden. Instead, the site features 21 gardens representing the art, beliefs, lifestyles and traditions of different civilisations or historical garden styles. These gardens are grouped into the Paradise, Productive, Fantasy, Cultivar and Landscape garden collections, and there is space for gardens which are still in development.[4] Most of the 54 hectare site is a park, which includes municipal nursery and the Hamilton East Cemetery.[2]

The first development of gardens began in the early 1960s at what was then the city's waste disposal site. The first substantial development, the Rogers Rose Garden, was opened in 1971 in an attempt to block highway development over the site. Since 1982 many newly developed areas have been opened to the public. Additional features of the gardens now include a lake walkway and a waterfall outlook.

History

Early development

In 1960, four acres of what had been Hamilton East Town Belt was passed over to Hamilton City Council for the purposes of a public garden. An opening ceremony for Hamilton Gardens was held on 24 July 1960. The design of this area was, and still is, firmly in the Gardenesque tradition, with specimen trees and flower beds set in flat lawns. In 1971 Hamilton was to host the first World Rose Convention. At that time Hamilton had rose gardens at the Lake Domain, but these were limited in size, so a new rose garden was established at Hamilton Gardens. It was named after Dr Denis Rogers, mayor of Hamilton from 1959 to 1968.

In the late 1970s, a new concept for Hamilton Gardens was developed. This new concept would see Hamilton Gardens depart from the traditional botanic garden model, partially because of the proximity of Auckland Botanic Gardens. The focus of Hamilton Gardens was to be on garden design, rather than on botanical science.[5] This concept was developed in three stages through the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s to form five garden collections.[6] The first of the Paradise Gardens were opened in 1992.

Garden development

Trusts were set up to raise funds for specific gardens, including the Rose Garden Committee, the Chinese Garden Trust, the Japanese Garden Trust, the Modernist Garden Trust, the Indian Char Bagh Garden Trust, the Italian Renaissance Garden Trust and Te Parapara Garden Trust.[7]

The Hamilton Gardens Development Trust is currently raising the $7.03 million required to develop the Mansfield, Concept, Picturesque and the Surrealist Gardens, and the first stage of a car park extension. A third of this has been raised through a targeted rate of $10 per Hamilton City household per year for four years. Another third was secured in June 2015 from the Lottery Significant Project Funds Committee. The full funding is expected to be finalised by 2016. Other planned developments include a playground, three central courts, an Italian Renaissance Pavilion jetty and security cameras.[8]

Awards and recognition

Hamilton Gardens Rose

Hamilton Gardens, a rose named after the gardens, was released on the market in 2008. It was discovered at Hamilton Gardens as a naturally occurring mutation of Paddy Stephens, and like its predecessor has long stems, well formed blooms, and high disease tolerance. The New Zealand Rose Society describes its colour as "an appealing blend of apricot, pink and cream" and says it grows about 1.5 metres. The rose was selected as the 10th most popular Hybrid Tea Rose in a New Zealand rose survey 2009, and was featured at rose events at Hamilton Gardens like the Pacific Rose Bowl Festival, the New Zealand Rose of the Year and the National Sprig Rose Show.[9]

International Garden Tourism Awards

Hamilton Gardens won the Garden of the Year award at the International Garden Tourism Awards in Metz, France in 2014, after being selected by a global jury of garden experts. Previous winners of the award for "the world's great and unique gardens" include Singapore Botanic Gardens and the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle in Merano, Italy.[10]

World Garden Tourism Network president Richard Benfield praised the garden's plantings, compartmentalised design, educational value and visual impact. He said visitors were greeted with surprises in each individual garden, and the gardens were linked to the river valley and hence central Hamilton. He says the gardens were nominated for the award because of the maturity of their development, and the strategic plan the council had in place for its future development. Benfield described the gardens as unique in the world, and "visually spectacular".[10]

Critical reception

Lonely Planet encourages visitors to the gardens to see the "extravagant themed enclosed gardens" with "colonnades, pagodas and a mini Taj Mahal". They also recommend the pre-colonial Te Parapara garden and Ngā Uri O Hinetuparimaunga earth blanket statue at the main gates.[11] Blogger David Farrer described Hamilton Gardens as a "hidden treasure" and a "great place to spend half a day".[12]

Supporters

Friends of Hamilton Gardens

The Friends of Hamilton Gardens, a volunteer association set up to support the development of the gardens, have been involved in the development of most gardens and projects. Members of the association have run the Hamilton Gardens Information Centre since the early 1990s, staffing it every day of the year except Good Friday and Christmas Day.[7]

Donors

The English Flower Garden was made with significant funding from former Hamilton mayor Kathleen Braithwaite.

Several trusts have helped with fundraising and organisation at the gardens. The Hamilton Gardens Building Trust raised the money needed to build the Hamilton Gardens Pavilion, the Waikato Rose Society supported the Rogers Rose Garden, the Waikato Herb Society supported the Herb Garden, and the Waikato Camellia Society supported the development of the Camellia Garden. Former Hamilton mayor Kathleen Braithwaite has been a major sponsor of the English Flower Garden and future development projects. Muriel House made a substantial sponsorship towards the Modernist Garden, and the Russian Bell Tower Trust raised the money needed for the Hamilton Gardens Russian Bell Tower.[7]

Oganisations have been involved in organising particular events. The Garden World Trust organised large Gardenworld Festivals at Hamilton Gardens, and the Waikato Garden Festival Trust has organised festivals and fundraising. The Hamilton Gardens Entertainment Trust organised the annual Turtle Lake Concert each year to raise funds for the gardens development. The Hamilton Garden Summer Festival Foundation has organised the Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival since its second year, and the Pacific Rose Bowl Trust was set up to look after the Pacific Rose Bowl Festival.[7]

Gardens

Paradise Garden Collection

Chinese Scholars Garden
Indian Char Bagh Garden
Italian Renaissance Garden

The Paradise Garden Collection represents how gardeners have tried to create paradise on Earth. The word 'paradise' is derived from the Old Persian word ‘pairidaeza’ which translates to 'enclosed garden'.[2] There are six gardens in this collection.

Cultivar Garden Collection

The Cultivar Garden Collection are the closest Hamilton Gardens comes to being a botanical garden.[2] Gardens in the Cultivar Collection include well-known plants which have been selected and bred for gardens at different times throughout history by collectors, breeders and speculators. There are six current or proposed gardens in this collection.

Productive Garden Collection

Te Parapara Māori Garden, based on a traditional homeland of Ngāti Wairere.

The Productive Garden Collection demonstrates different ways people relate to and use productive plants. Each garden is supposed to represent the process of gardening, as both a natural phenomenon and a cultural practice.[2] Gardens in this collection include the Herb Garden, the Kitchen Garden, Te Parapra Maori Garden, and the Sustainable Backyard Garden.[2] There are four gardens in the collection, and another one is planned.

Landscape Garden Collection

The Landscape Garden Collection are the outer spaces of the Hamilton Gardens site, and include landscape garden traditions inspired by philosophical traditions. These spaces are supposed to be expressive and subtle artifacts of the relationship between human beings and the natural world.[2]

There are six spaces in this collection:

Fantasy Garden Collection

The Chinoiserie Garden Pavilion is based on Chinese House, Stowe.

The Fantasy Garden Collection is supposed to illustrate both how fantasy and imagination has been used in garden design, and how garden design can stimulate fantasy and imagination in people who visit gardens.[2] There are nine current or proposed gardens in this collection.

Visitors

Hamilton Gardens is located between the Waikato River and Cobham Drive State Highway 1. The site can be accessed from two vehicle gates and several pedestrian entry points. The enclosed gardens are open during daylight hours every day of the year, and entry and parking is free.[2] Buses run hourly between Hamilton Gardens and the Hamilton Transport Centre via Hamilton East,[28] and Waikato River Explorer runs regular cruises between Memorial Park, Hamilton Gardens jetty and Mystery Creek.[29] The Hamilton Gardens features on national and regional tours, including combined one day tour with the Hobbiton Movie Set.[30]

The garden's visitors come from around the world, including Australia, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, North America and South America. Local visitors include people from Auckland, the Waikato region, the Bay of Plenty and Taranaki.[10]

Events and facilities

Events

The Turtle Lake and nearby Hamilton Gardens Pavilion are used to host many events.

The Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival has been held each February since 1998. The festival includes a range of events in different gardens and buildings, including concerts, exhibitions and a pop-up bar.[31]

The gardens play host to many events, including the signature Pacific Rose Bowl Festival in November,[32] the National Painting and Printmaking Awards in February,[33] the Great Pumpkin Carnival in March,[34] the Hamilton Fringe Festival in late March,[35] and Stations of the Cross before Easter.[36] The gardens host annual gardening events specialising on bonsai, chrysanthemums, daffodils, dahlias, lilies, orchids, tulips and roses. Other annual shows include Doll and Teddy Bear Show, the Salvation Army Christmas Concert, the Scarecrow Festival, the Waikato Maths Competition and the Waikato Science Fair.[7]

The Hamilton Gardens Pavilion is the venue for concerts,[37] antique fairs,[38] collectable shows,[39] and model railway exhibitions.[40] It is used for one-off business breakfasts,[41] psychic nights,[42] and health seminars.[43] It is also the location of a regular fitness expos,[44] wedding expos[45] natural health expos,[46] and trade shows.[47] Local communities use the Hamilton Gardens for religious ceremonies,[48] cultural gatherings,[49][50] and balls.[51] The gardens also play host to Anzac Day commemorations,[52] model boat regattas, karate competitions, pipe band competitions,[7] and fun runs.[53]

All the gardens and buildings are available for weddings and ceremonies, and the Hamilton Gardens provides an experienced wedding coordinate to make arrangements and provide assistance. There is a fee to book enclosed gardens for weddings, but no charge for taking wedding photos inside the gardens site.[54]

Amenities and facilities

At the centre of the Hamilton Gardens is the Hamilton Gardens Pavilion, a convention and corporate function centre which can seat 650 people across three rooms. The pavilion houses the Hamilton Gardens Information Centre, which is run by paid staff and volunteers and offers seasonal plants, tourism bookings and souvenirs.

The Waikato Institute of Technology Horticulture Education Centre at Hamilton Gardens offers profeessional arboriculture, horticulture, floristry, landscape design and horticultural technology courses.[2] There campus holds an annual open day to prospective students.[55]

A centre point of the Hamilton Gardens is Turtle Lake, an artificial lake and duck habitat with a stage on one side and walkway running above the water on the other side. The four metre horsetail waterfall flowing into the lake is the only waterfall in Hamilton.[56] An independently owned cafe, restaurant and catering company operates at the lake, serving a variety of coffees, snacks, meals and ice creams.[57] The cafe's al fresco dining area looks out on the lake.[58]

Toilets are located at the Hamilton Gardens Pavilion and at the Gate 1 entrance. Seating is located around the site, with most gardens having sheltered spots in case of range. Most gardens are accessible for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs. There are maps, apps, brochures and guided tours in different languages, and an activity sheet for children. There are picnic spots near the Waikato River, Turtle Lake and in some gardens. Dogs are banned from enclosed areas, but there is an off-leash dog walking area east of the Turtle Lake car park.[2]

References

  1. "Hamilton Gardens". tourismexportcouncil.org.nz. Tourism Export Council. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Hamilton Gardens". gardenstovisit.com. Gardens to Visit - a Collection of NZ Gardens. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  3. Kerr, Megan. "Hamilton Gardens". nzgirl.co.nz. NZ Girl. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  4. "Hamilton Gardens". newzealand.com. Tourism New Zealand. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  5. 1 2 "Hamilton Gardens Te Parapara River City Plan". Hamilton City River Plan. Hamilton City Council. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  6. Swarbrick, Nancy. "Hamilton Gardens". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 "Hamilton Gardens Review Document" (PDF). hamilton.govt.nz. Hamilton City Council. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  8. "Hamilton Gardens Receives $2.5 Million Lottery Grant". scoop.co.nz. Hamilton City Council. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  9. "November - Hamilton Gardens". nzroses.org. New Zealand Rose Society. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  10. 1 2 3 Irvine, Denise (11 October 2014). "Hamilton Gardens a Star Attraction". stuff.co.nz. Fairfax NZ. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  11. "Lonely Planet - Hamilton Gardens". lonelyplanet.com. Lonely Planet. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  12. Farrer, David (11 October 2014). "Hamilton Gardens". kiwiblog.co.nz. Kiwiblog. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  13. "Chinese Scholars Garden". hamiltongardens.co.nz. Hamilton Gardens. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  14. "Japanese Garden of Contemplation". hamiltongardens.co.nz. Hamilton Gardens. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  15. "English Flower Garden". hamiltongardens.co.nz. Hamilton Gardens. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  16. "Modernist Garden". hamiltongardens.co.nz. Hamilton Gardens. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  17. "Italian Renaissance Garden". hamiltongardens.co.nz. Hamilton Gardens. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  18. "Indian Char Bagh Garden". hamiltongardens.co.nz. Hamilton Gardens. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  19. "Roger's Rose Garden". worldrose.org. World Federation of Rose Societies. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  20. "Te Parapara Garden". hamiltongardens.co.nz. Hamilton Gardens. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  21. "Bussaco Woodland". hamiltongardens.co.nz. Hamilton Gardens. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  22. "Hamilton East Cemetery". hamiltongardens.co.nz. Hamilton Gardens. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  23. "Valley Walk". hamiltongardens.co.nz. Hamilton Gardens. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  24. "Chinoiserie Garden". hamiltongardens.co.nz. Hamilton Gardens. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  25. "Tropical Garden". hamiltongardens.co.nz. Hamilton Gardens. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  26. 1 2 3 4 "Proposed Fantasy Collection gardens". hamiltongardens.co.nz. Hamilton Gardens. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  27. "Tudor Garden". hamiltongardens.co.nz. Hamilton Gardens. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  28. "BusIt Hamilton Gardens". busit.co.nz. Waikato Regional Council. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  29. "Waikato River Explorer". waikatoexplorer.co.nz. Waikato River Explorer. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  30. "Hobbiton and Hamilton Gardens (1 Day Tour)". manatoursnz.com. Mana Tours Auckland. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  31. "Gothenberg Pop-up Bar". gothenburg.co.nz. Gothenburg Restaurant. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  32. "Hamilton Gardens - Events". hamiltongardens.co.nz. Hamilton Gardens. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  33. "The New Zealand Painting and Printmaking Awards". eventfinda.co.nz. Event Finda. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  34. "Great Pumpkin Carnival". thegreatpumpkincarnival.co.nz. Great Pumpkin Carnival. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  35. "Hamilton Fringe - Hamilton Gardens". hamiltonfringe.co.nz. Hamilton Fringe Festival. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  36. "Stations of the Cross". stations.org.nz. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  37. "Hamilton Gardens Pavilion". undertheradar.co.nz. Under the Radar. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  38. "Antique and Collectables Fair". eventfinda.co.nz. Event Finda. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  39. "40th National Antique Bottles and Collectables Show". eventfinda.co.nz. Event Finda. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  40. "Model Railway Exhibition – Hamilton Gardens 24 – 26 October 2015". hmr.org.nz. Hamilton Model Railroaders. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  41. "Manufacturing, Wholesale & Distribution Breakfast Seminar". eventfinda.co.nz. Eventfinda. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  42. "Sue Nicholson - Answers from the Other Side". eventfinda.co.nz. Eventfinda. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  43. "Children, Food & Health - A Parent's Dilemma". eventfinda.co.nz. Event Finda. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  44. "Not Your Usual Outing". eventfinda.co.nz. Event Finda. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  45. "Waikato Wedding Expo". eventfinda.co.nz. Event Finda. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  46. "Natural Health Expo". eventfinda.co.nz. Event Finda. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  47. "Future-Proof Building National Tradeshow Series". eventfinda.co.nz. Event Finda. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  48. "The Holy Qura'n Exhibition". eventfinda.co.nz. Event Finda. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  49. "Hispanic Spring Festival". eventfinda.co.nz. Event Finda. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  50. "Hamilton Italian Festival". eventfinda.co.nz. Event Finda. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  51. "Cirlesque Ball". eventfinda.co.nz. Event Finda. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  52. "ANZAC Reflections". eventfinda.co.nz. Event Finda. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  53. "Jennian Homes Mothers Day 5km Fun Run/Walk". eventfinda.co.nz. Event Finda. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  54. "Hamilton Gardens - The Wedding Map". theweddingmap.co.nz. The Wedding Map. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  55. "Wintec Hamilton Gardens Campus Open Day". cate.co.nz. Careers and Transition Education Association. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  56. "Hamilton Gardens Waterfalls". waterfalls.co.nz. Waterfalls. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  57. "Hamilton Gardens Cafe". hgcafAe.co.nz. Pumice Food Group. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  58. "The Hamilton Gardens Cafe". incognitoexperience.co.nz. Incognito Experience. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
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