Kensington Oval, Dunedin facts for kids
| The Oval | |||
Kensington Oval (formerly the South Dunedin Recreation Ground)
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| Ground information | |||
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| Location | Kensington, Dunedin, New Zealand | ||
| Establishment | 1860 (as South Dunedin Recreation Ground) | ||
| Team information | |||
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| As of 3 November 2011 Source: Ground profile |
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The Kensington Oval is a cool park and sports field in Dunedin, New Zealand. It used to be called the South Dunedin Recreation Ground. People sometimes call it just The Oval, but that name is less common now. This is because there's another sports ground called the University Oval nearby.
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Discovering Kensington Oval
The Kensington Oval is a special part of Dunedin's Town Belt. The Town Belt is a green area that wraps around the city. This park is shaped a bit like a triangle and covers about 9.25 hectares (that's over 22 acres!).
Where is the Oval Located?
You can find the Oval bordered by three main roads. These are Princes Street, the top part of Anderson's Bay Road, and the Dunedin Southern Motorway. It's easy to get to from different parts of the city.
How the Oval Got Its Name
The name "Kensington Oval" was chosen on March 22, 1864. This was when people decided to make the main cricket pitch into a formal oval shape. After that, the old name, South Dunedin Recreation Ground, was used less and less. By the early 1900s, almost everyone called it the Kensington Oval.
Remembering History: The Boer War Memorial
At the northern corner of the Oval, there's a memorial that honors soldiers from the Boer War. This war happened a long time ago in South Africa. The memorial was designed by Carlo Bergamini and was put up in November 1906. It's a reminder of an important part of history.
A Look at the Oval's Past
The Kensington Oval has a long and interesting history, especially with sports. It was once a very important place for cricket in New Zealand.
New Zealand's First Cricket Match
The very first first-class cricket match in New Zealand happened right here at the Oval! This exciting game took place in February 1864. The Otago team played against the Canterbury team. Otago played eight more first-class matches at the Oval until February 1878.
Challenges with the Playing Field
Back then, the cricket field wasn't always in the best shape. There were old tree roots sticking out of the ground. This made the pitch uneven and sometimes dangerous for the batsmen. In 1879, the Otago Cricket Association asked the Dunedin City Council to fix the ground.
However, the Council decided not to make the improvements. They also didn't want to stop other activities from happening on the field. Because of this, the Otago Cricket Association looked for a new place to play their games. Around 1899, the fences that made the oval shape were removed.
Sports Today at the Oval
Even though big representative matches aren't played at Kensington Oval anymore, it's still a very busy sports ground. Many local clubs and teams use it for cricket games. It has two grass pitches and three artificial ones, plus a special building called a pavilion.
In the summer, people play softball here. In the winter, the Oval is used for football and rugby union games. It's a great place for the community to stay active and enjoy different sports throughout the year.
