Kowhai Park
James McGregor Memorial Park
Originally waste land, this area of the city was used during WWI
to grow potatoes to raise money for the comforts of soldiers. It
was originally known as the Wanganui East Esplanade but was renamed
Kowhai Park when the then Governor General, Lord Liverpool planted
a Kowhai tree here. The tree later died.
James McGregor, a farmer from Fordell, became very interested in
the area and personally planted many of the trees and shrubs he
obtained from all over the world. In 1935 it was renamed James
McGregor Memorial Park. Up until 1942 the land was leased but in
that year it was vested in the Wanganui City Council and managed by
a Trust.
In 1955 the first item in the childrens park at the northern end
was built and over the years other attractions have been
added.