Editorial: Green spaces important for community

Linda Hall, Assistant Editor, Hawke's Bay Today.

Congratulations to all those involved with the Lighting of Osmanthus Gardens.

It was absolutely spectacular. I say was because unfortunately anyone that hasn't had the pleasure of walking through the gardens at Cornwall Park in Hastings over the latter part of last week will have to wait until next year.

The final night of the five-day event was last night.

I went along on Saturday night with family members including a 5 and a 6-year-old who loved it.

It is so cleverly done using water, light and reflections to create a mesmerising show.
The traditional Chinese garden was established back in 1996 to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Hastings' sister city relationship with Guilin.

This year's event is the eighth anniversary of the lighting festival and included new lotus lanterns which were absolutely spectacular.

There were hundreds of people walking through the gardens and others who had found a spot to stop and listen to the outstanding music from three Chinese musicians from Guilin.

With more and more houses being built, green spaces in our region are so important.
They provide a place for the community to come together both formally and informally.

The days of big backyards with swings and slides are fast fading so these areas are even more important than they once were.

We are lucky in Hawke's Bay - we have some beautiful parks and reservations.

So please Hawke's Bay councils keep up events such as the lighting of Osmanthus Gardens so we can all appreciate our beautiful green spaces.