Council’s Open Spaces team is preparing a summer surprise in the Ashburton Domain – two new flying foxes that will run side-by-side.

The 50m flying foxes will be installed on the eastern side of the walkway that runs from the central carpark to Walnut Avenue and work will begin soon on the necessary infrastructure, which includes a soil mound at the southern end with a long ramp for accessibility. Softfall material will be added underneath.

The much-loved old flying fox, on Walnut Avenue, was taken down in 2020 and the new one is part of a 30-year development plan for the domain.

People using the domain over the next few weeks will notice earthworks and construction at the site, and the installation team is working flat out to try and have it up and running early in the new year. Fingers crossed!