Visit
Access
Duncan Park is located along Port Hills Road in Heathcote Valley.
Parking is available in both the car park over the bridge and the roadside.
Please be sure to remove all valuables from your car, lock the doors and take the keys with you as this car park is known for break-ins.
The park and walking track can also be accessed from the Ferrymead Pony Club, approximately 200m from the main entrance, also along Port Hills Road.
Dogs
Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
The park is shared with horse riders and sometimes livestock.
Walks
There are two walking tracks at Duncan Park.
The Duncan Park Circuit Track is a 2km walk that follows the fence line around the park, cutting through the middle to offer stunning views over Christchurch and links to Linda Woods Reserve before finishing either in the main car park or Ferrymead Pony Club entrance.
Mary's Track is a shorter 900m up circuit that diverts from the main track and meets it further up the hill before turning back towards the car park. Originally created as a track to facilitate restoration planting, it's now an enjoyable walk in its own right.
History
Duncan Park was gifted to the city for use as a public reserve by Mary Duncan on her death in 1947.
The Duncan family were some of the first Europeans to farm in the Heathcote Valley. The park was intended to be a memorial to Mary's parents George and Jean and sister Janet.
George and Jean Duncan arrived in Lyttelton in 1851 on the Isabelle Hercus from Plymouth. They settled temporarily in a house near Bridle Path before moving to what is now Duncan Park where they built a homestead and farmed about 50 acres. The property was known as Earnbank.
Accounts from 'The Port Hills of Christchurch' by George Ogilvie suggest the land was also used as a shooting range and military camp in the 1860s for various colonial training events that took place, involving much drama and ceremony.
The old homestead, on-site from 1860 to 1963, was unfortunately demolished after suffering significant deterioration.
Earnbank Homestead. From the Wenmoth and Harrison Collection.
Volunteer
Get involved in your favourite park by volunteering.
There are regular working bees and community planting days held throughout the year Duncan Park.
