Walk Details
NZ Walking Routes > Hawkes Bay > Napier > Centennial Gardens - The Quarry
Centennial Gardens - The Quarry
- Location
- The car park is situated on the seaward side of the gardens on Coote Road. Wheelchair access to the gardens is by way of the path at the hill end of the car park.
- Description
These gardens were developed in 1974 to commemorate the centenary of the establishment of Napier as a Borough and a city.
Previously, the site had been used by the Justice Department as a quarry, using prisoner labour from the Napier Prison, which stands on the opposite hillside across Coote Road.
Many of the roadside retaining walls seen around the hill were built by working parties of prisoners. Dressed stone from the quarry was known locally as 'shell rock' and was very popular with local architects and builders in the 1920's and 30's for ornamental walls and pillars.
With the closure of the quarry the local supply of 'shell rock' was no longer available.
- Amenities
-
- Carpark
- Historical
- Wheelchair Access
- Source
- www.napier.govt.nz
- Discussion
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