Red zone hero remembered during Avon River walk

An annual walk to reconnect the community with the Avon River was held in memory of one of the red zone’s most dedicated advocates.

Evan Smith, who died in August, was remembered during the annual Great Otakaro Avon River Walk for his efforts to turn the red zone around the banks of the Avon River into a park.

The walk stopped at a former cul-de-sac off River Rd in Richmond, where Smith and his family lived for many years until it was red-zoned after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. The walkers heard from members of the Avon Otakaro Network (AvON), which he co-founded.

‘‘I think of this as the Evan zone and he’s left his mark everywhere really,’’ AvON secretary-treasurer Sarah Butterfield said.

‘‘As you come around the bend there’s some amazing plantings and some beautiful artworks from children and you look at the signage and it’s a fantastic example of how Evan collaborated with lots of people.

‘‘That was really where he was at his best. He may not have loved doing public speaking, but he did a lot of talking at forums, making sure people had a voice and making sure the people in charge stopped and listened.’’

Walk leader Mark Gibson, who co-founded AvON with Smith, recalled the latter’s efforts to save red zone trees.

‘‘Early on Evan realised they were bringing the bulldozers in and just completely clearing sections, fruit trees and beautiful, established exotic and native trees, and thanks to his tenacity and giving the council and Christchurch Earthquake Recovery Authority a very strong message those trees were saved.’’

 

Gibson recalled Smith participated in several of the river walks, including one time meeting the walkers at his former property.

‘‘We arrived and we couldn’t find him anywhere. And then we realised he had climbed up a tree and he spoke to us from up in the tree.’’

AvON chairman Dallas Matoe said the group is fundraising to build a memorial on Smith’s former property.

The Great Otakaro Avon River Walk was first held in 2012 to help people to reconnect with the Avon River after the earthquakes and there are plans to complete the 10th annual walk as part of the next Christchurch Walking Festival, which is due to be held in April.

The walk covered a distance of around 15km from New Brighton to Hagley Park, including the 11km Te Ara Otakaro Avon Trail through the red zone, which Smith was instrumental establishing.