Bumper year for plantings, thanks to volunteers

September 24, 2002

Volunteer groups have this year planted more than 10,000 plants throughout North Shore City's parks and reserves - just one of many important tasks they perform.

The council's city-wide parks and environment officer, Damian Herrick, says the community plays an important and often underestimated role in the beautification of the city's parks and reserves.

The council's parks department has the support of eight parks volunteer management committees throughout the city and countless individuals, all working together to improve the environment and the quality of its reserves.

Their regular responsibilities range from weed control and planting, to track maintenance and administration.

"They assist both with the council's scheduled projects and by initiating their own, working closely with our city's six community boards," says Mr Herrick, a qualified arborist.

Of special note this year are three major planting projects:

* The Kauri Point and Centennial Park group has replanted an area destroyed by fire last summer, and has used the exact species that were lost. The area is already beginning to recover. * * The Shepherds Park group has almost finished a 300-metre long wheelchair walkway through the bush. Along this path, a gazebo-style information centre is also taking shape. The group initiated these projects and have been involved throughout the entire construction process. * * Members of the Little Shoal Bay and Le Roys Bush group, Forest and Bird and Birkenhead Intermediate students have worked together to reduce weed numbers and clean up the Little Shoal Bay reserve. The volunteers have also returned a cleared area to native bush.

North Shore City's community services and parks committee chairperson and Albany Community Board member, Margaret Miles, says the city is fortunate to have such a dedicated and enthusiastic network of parks volunteers.

"At our annual Civic Awards ceremonies, we often acknowledge these hard-working people who lend their green fingers to all kinds of projects," Councillor Miles says.

Most volunteer groups have regular working bees and new members are always welcome. For more information on the parks groups and how to get involved, please contact Damian Herrick on 486 8600.

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For further information, please contact North Shore City Council city-wide parks and environment officer, Damian Herrick, on 486 8564; or Councillor Margaret Miles on 413 9734.

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