The Rotary Club of Oamaru Centennial Glen was officially launched during the club’s centennial celebrations on Saturday at 103 Eden St, near Observatory Village.
About 50 volunteers including many club members and their families, Waitaki Forest and Bird, and North Otago Tramping representatives were at the Centennial Glen site to plant out the new public space.
With 100 plants and more to be planted in August, plus tracks for walking and biking — and with views across the Oamaru Harbour — the new outdoor area is "a space for everyone" to enjoy, Rotary Trust chairman Peter Robinson said.
"Observatory Village residents can use it as an alternative way to get to town.
"Or you can bring a mountain bike or maybe even a motorised scooter to use the tracks."
He hoped to eventually put in benches along the track so that anyone could come and sit and contemplate life in the beautiful space.
"Although it was fundamentally for the village residents to use, it’s really for everyone," he said.
The glen had been a "year in the making" with generous support from community organisations, the Waitaki District and Otago Regional Councils and the Department of Conservation.
"It was a land-locked piece of land.
"We came to mulch it and thought we could do something with it," Mr Robinson said.
The project has cost over $30,000 and received several substantial contributions from across the North Otago community.
