Green fingered volunteers help with tree planting

April 27, 2004

The planting season is about to begin and North Shore City Council is looking for keen volunteers to help plant thousands of trees and shrubs in parks around the city.

The council's citywide parks officer, Damian Herrick, who co-ordinates the city's volunteer programmes, is preparing for several major planting exercises around the city over the next two months. While existing volunteer groups will carry out some projects, further help is needed for other projects.

At the top of his 'help wanted' list is a major planting exercise at a small reserve off Te Wharau Dr in Greenhithe, planned for Sunday May 16, where around 1500 trees and shrubs are to be planted.

The Te Wharau Creek Esplanade Reserve is in a new subdivision popular with families. Council workers have already cleared noxious weeds from a gully area alongside a stream ready for planting.

"It's a suitable project for the entire family to come along and help. This is an ideal opportunity for local people to not only help beautify a local park, but get to know other people in their local community" Mr Herrick, a qualified arborist, says.

Paremoremo resident Margaret Miles, who chairs the council's community services and parks committee, will be on hand to pitch in

"The more help we get, the quicker it will take," Councillor Miles, who anticipates that around 50 volunteers would be able to carry out the planting in less than two hours, says.

Another major planting project is planned for Landing Reserve alongside Albany's Lucas Creek, where weeds have been removed to be replaced by native plants. The council-funded planting programme will be carried out by the Friends of Lucas Creek.

And the Centennial Park Bush Society's volunteers are gearing up to plant 1200 plants in Centennial Park in Campbells Bay. The revegetation programme will focus on areas near entranceways and alongside tracks through the park.

Tree planting is also planned for Centorian Reserve in Albany, and Lynn Reserve in Glenfield.

Margaret Miles says North Shore City is lucky to have so many hard working and enthusiastic people willing to help improve their parks.

"Our parks volunteers play an important role, working closely with our community boards and parks officers to help beautify our many city parks. These green-fingered folk not only help with council projects but initiate their own, and in doing so help improve our parks for the benefit of all residents."

For more information on the parks groups and how to get involved people are invited to contact Actionline on 4868600.

ENDS

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