Green scene blog

Follow our blog to find out what’s new in the bush around Ngaio and Crofton Downs at this time of the year.

Plantings

Ngaio Progressive Association has undertaken a number of planting projects over the past ten years or so.   These enhance our suburb and make it a more attractive place to live in. Wellington City Council supports us in this work.

Every winter we plant native trees, shrubs and grasses from WCC’s nursery in Berhampore.  We weed, water and mulch these plants though out the year.

You are most welcome to join us.

Cummings Park

Our first project was improving Cummings Park.

Over a couple of years we planted the small area on the left of the entrance to the park from the car park and the bank below the service station. This planting is now quite mature. We also built the v-shaped seat on the left inside the entrance and were instrumental in the installation of the Primordial Ancestors sculpture by the bridge. The sculpture was donated by the Wellington Sculpture Trust.

In the mid-90s we encouraged the Council to upgrade the park.  They built a new playground, new bridge and entrance gates. We now have one of the loveliest small suburban parks in the city.

Khandallah Road trees

About 2002 we began planting what was a wasteland adjacent to the lay-by on Khandallah Road.  At the same time, we installed three NGAIO signs at each entrance to the suburb.

We have added to the planting nearly every year since, assisted by local residents.  It is now nearly complete.

Khandallah Road grasses

Around 2003  we planted Carex Sestasia grasses beside the footpath between Tarikaka Street and Ngaio village. We regularly weed and maintain them and they have become a much-appreciated feature of Ngaio.

Ngaio Railway Station Car park

A few years ago the bank by the Ngaio railway station car park was a weedy wilderness. We planted the flaxes that are now flourishing there.

Silverstream Road

Since 2005 we have been planting natives in the streamside area behind the Play Centre.   Local residents and a group of volunteers from the ANZ bank have assisted us, and the work is progressing well. There will be a further planting there this winter (2010).

This is another wilderness that is being transformed.

Other environmental groups in Ngaio

Three other groups are restoring Council parks and reserves in Ngaio:

Trelissick Park Group

This band of volunteers, with Council support,  has transformed Trelissick Park into a wonderful and much-used reserve.

Ngaio Progressive Association has been involved in two projects in the reserve and is very supportive of the valuable work this group is doing.  NPA has donated two seats for people to use and planted one area.

Bell’s Track Group

Bells Track goes through reserve land from the end of Awarua Street up to the ridge line overlooking Ohariu Valley.

This group has been active for several years in improving the track, but really needs more helpers.

Makererua Reserve Care Group

The recently-formed Makererua Reserve Care Group is restoring this long-neglected small but valuable reserve.  It  contains several impressive remnants of original bush. The Care Group plans several projects to make improvements to the reserve.

An independent group of local volunteers has completed a track through the reserve linking Makererua and Orleans Streets.

Contact details for these groups are available on WCC’s website.

Volunteers needed

The Association’s projects require ongoing work until newly planted areas mature and can look after themselves. Anyone willing to help in any way could contact:

Trevor Lloyd on 4795438