Walkway work rewarded
An overgrown and potentially dangerous walkway is now part of a thriving community garden, thanks to one police officer.
Counties Manukau West community constable Tineke Laing has been honoured by the police for her work.
She’s been awarded an Area Commander’s Commendation at the Counties Manukau police district awards.
Laing says a concerned resi- dent approached her about the walkway at the end of Lindis Place in Mangere Bridge.
‘‘The walkway was in a bad state, it was overgrown with weeds and muddy and a lack of fence between the walkway and long driveway.
‘‘There was hurricane wire that was bent and twisted,’’ she says.
Residents wanted to know what could be done about it, especially with Mangere Bridge Kindergarten next to it.
And so followed a near twoyear effort during which Laing attended meetings and acted as a go-between with community and Auckland Council.
‘‘It was dangerous and unsightly, no one wanted to use the walkway but they had to.’’ she says.
‘‘The fact that kindergarten children could readily access the driveway was of concern to me because I’m a mum myself.’’
She then began door knocking neighbours in the area. Most of the feedback showed residents wanted more than just a repair job.
‘‘We saw an opportunity for the community to become involved and put their own flavour to it,’’ Laing says.
The residents all came up with the idea of a community garden - something Auckland Council got on board with.
Laing attended meetings out of her usual work hours as well as setting up and helping out on a working bee one weekend to tidy the walkway. Even Laing’s 6-yearold son Ronan got involved on the day.
The kindergarten has planted vegetables and fruit trees, teaching the children to tend to the garden.
‘‘It looks amazing, comments made from residents and passersby say how great it looks,’’ Laing says.
‘‘It’s wonderful that the community got involved and made a difference in their own backyard.’’