Hagley Park has been a serene getaway for Christchurch residents and visitors since the 1850s. Flanked by the Avon River and Deans Avenue, Hagley comprises several parks and sports grounds. North, South, and Little Hagley Park are ideal for picnics and casual sports. Pathways for walking and cycling wind through the fields and wooded areas. In North Hagley Park, Lake Victoria and Lake Albert are great for walking around or sailing toy boats.
The park is home to the Te Kura Hagley Park Tennis Club, the Hagley Cricket Oval, the Christchurch Netball Courts, and the Hagley Golf Club; there are also petanque and croquet facilities. You can paddle along the Avon River in a boat or kayak from the Antigua Boat Shed on Cambridge Terrace. The Christchurch Botanic Gardens are tucked away underneath North Hagley Park, and Canterbury Museum and the Christchurch Arts Centre are nearby.