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Osborne Park, Doyleston
Description
TitleOsborne Park, Doyleston
DescriptionAccording to the Lyttleton Times of 3 October 1910, “Through the beneficence of Mr Job Osborne, the people of Doyleston have been provided with a recreation ground".
A deputation, consisting of Messrs J.W.A. Walker and A. Werner, waited upon Mr Osborne last week, with the result that he generously gave five acres of land free of cost and promised to allow the residents the privilege of buying four acres adjoining. The land is close to the township, and is admirably suited for the purpose for which it has been given.”
Previously various paddocks belonging to locals were usually used for sports events.
A deputation then met with the Ellesmere Domain Board and sought its assistance in purchasing the additional area. The Board responded with a grant of £150 in November 1910, with the balance of the funds coming from local fundraising, subscriptions and maybe a Government subsidy.
In February 1911 the Ellesmere Domain Board agreed that a committee of Doyleston residents should be elected to look after the work of the Domain, under the supervision of the Domain Board, and were also successful in getting a grant of £25 towards the cost of a bridge across the main Doyleston drain from the Selwyn County Council.
Two months later a deputation of three residents met the Minister of Internal Affairs and applied for a subsidy for land purchase and the erection of the Coronation memorial gate.
The negative reply came two months later but in the meantime, a gate had been ordered and delivered. Thus the entrance gates were erected to commemorate the coronation of George V, June 22nd 1911
The area was named Osborne Park in honour of its benefactor, its official opening was on 11th March 1912 in the presence of a large number of people from all parts of Ellesmere. Mrs. Rhodes, wife of Sir Heaton, cut the ribbon with a pair of silver scissors.
In the first year much had been accomplished including the building of a bridge, erection of gates, fencing, levelling, sowing and planting trees. A well was sunk in 1913.
A multitude of sports have, and are using the park.
From 1912 the Doyleston Athletic Club organised the very popular Boxing Day sports meeting, and a special train brought large numbers from Christchurch. The event was still running in 1937.
Motor racing occurred in late 50s and early 60s.
The current pavilion was sourced from Crown Crystal in Hornby in June 1979 and officially opened on 6th October of that year.
It was upgraded by the local committee over the years.
A stone cairn was unveiled in the park in December 1999 as Doyleston’s millennium project.
The Centennial of the park was celebrated on 11th March 2012, with the plaque being unveiled by the Selwyn District Mayor, Kelvin Coe and Simon Osborne, great-grandson of Job Osborne.
More recently, the tennis courts were upgraded, children’s playgrounds built (now to a high standard) and the grandstand dismantled, later to become part of the Selwyn Heritage Centre.
Information from- “Ellesmere: The Jewel in the Canterbury Crown” by George Singleton (2007), and Papers Past.
Stuart W. Brannigan
Ellesmere Historical Society
Date12 March 2020SourceThe Ellesmere EchoLocationDoyleston
DescriptionAccording to the Lyttleton Times of 3 October 1910, “Through the beneficence of Mr Job Osborne, the people of Doyleston have been provided with a recreation ground". A deputation, consisting of Messrs J.W.A. Walker and A. Werner, waited upon Mr Osborne last week, with the result that he generously gave five acres of land free of cost and promised to allow the residents the privilege of buying four acres adjoining. The land is close to the township, and is admirably suited for the purpose for which it has been given.”
Previously various paddocks belonging to locals were usually used for sports events.
A deputation then met with the Ellesmere Domain Board and sought its assistance in purchasing the additional area. The Board responded with a grant of £150 in November 1910, with the balance of the funds coming from local fundraising, subscriptions and maybe a Government subsidy.
In February 1911 the Ellesmere Domain Board agreed that a committee of Doyleston residents should be elected to look after the work of the Domain, under the supervision of the Domain Board, and were also successful in getting a grant of £25 towards the cost of a bridge across the main Doyleston drain from the Selwyn County Council.
Two months later a deputation of three residents met the Minister of Internal Affairs and applied for a subsidy for land purchase and the erection of the Coronation memorial gate.
The negative reply came two months later but in the meantime, a gate had been ordered and delivered. Thus the entrance gates were erected to commemorate the coronation of George V, June 22nd 1911
The area was named Osborne Park in honour of its benefactor, its official opening was on 11th March 1912 in the presence of a large number of people from all parts of Ellesmere. Mrs. Rhodes, wife of Sir Heaton, cut the ribbon with a pair of silver scissors.
In the first year much had been accomplished including the building of a bridge, erection of gates, fencing, levelling, sowing and planting trees. A well was sunk in 1913.
A multitude of sports have, and are using the park.
From 1912 the Doyleston Athletic Club organised the very popular Boxing Day sports meeting, and a special train brought large numbers from Christchurch. The event was still running in 1937.
Motor racing occurred in late 50s and early 60s.
The current pavilion was sourced from Crown Crystal in Hornby in June 1979 and officially opened on 6th October of that year.
It was upgraded by the local committee over the years.
A stone cairn was unveiled in the park in December 1999 as Doyleston’s millennium project.
The Centennial of the park was celebrated on 11th March 2012, with the plaque being unveiled by the Selwyn District Mayor, Kelvin Coe and Simon Osborne, great-grandson of Job Osborne.
More recently, the tennis courts were upgraded, children’s playgrounds built (now to a high standard) and the grandstand dismantled, later to become part of the Selwyn Heritage Centre.
Information from- “Ellesmere: The Jewel in the Canterbury Crown” by George Singleton (2007), and Papers Past.
Stuart W. Brannigan
Ellesmere Historical Society
Date12 March 2020SourceThe Ellesmere EchoLocationDoylestonClick on the image to add
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Osborne Park, Doyleston (12 March 2020). Selwyn Stories, accessed 15/06/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5294