Pupils pitch in
A group of eager schoolchildren have helped transform an overrun wasteland at a public park into a community orchard.
About 30 pupils from Feilding Intermediate helped plant 1000 native grasses, shrubs and tree seedlings at Timona Park last Thursday.
The effort assists the Timona Park Orchard Trust, a group of Feilding residents neighbouring the park who decided to take action after growing sick and tired of looking out their back window.
The residents were not happy with the sight of shrubs, trees and weeds towering above nearby homes, depriving them of sunlight.
The wetland, developed many years ago, had become neglected – an entanglement of large invasive plants, weeds and rubbish.
In partnership with the Timona Park Orchard Trust, the Manawatu District Council has been redeveloping the area.
Jiselle Rider, leader of the school’s environmental team, was delighted the children had the opportunity to participate in the planting and get their hands dirty
‘‘It will give them a sense of ownership of the park and we hope they will continue to develop and nurture the area so they see their environmental studies in action,’’ she said.
Parks and property team leader Carl Johnstone appreciated the energy and enthusiasm the children displayed and rewarded them with a sausage sizzle before returning to school.
The various plants were used to regenerate three layers found in native bush - water-loving grasses providing ground cover, shrubs to provide a subcanopy and kowhai and totara for the top layer.
The trust has been working for three years to redevelop the northern end of the park, near Simon St.
Trust member Gill Absolon hoped the improvements would beautify the area and create learning opportunities for children.
It had already attracted the return of wildlife and native birds, such as tui and morepork.
‘‘Our hope is that we can start to create a green corridor for birds and other wildlife between the various parks and reserves in and around Feilding,’’ Absolon said.