Cooney Reserve’s facelift
The Ōmokoroa peninsula has become a very popular place to live, and the population is growing exponentially. With the increasing worldwide popularity of cycling, WBOPDC is building a network of cycleways which includes one along the Ōmokoroa shoreline through Cooney Reserve. In June 2022, this cycleway was upgraded, and a public toilet and bike maintenance stand will shortly be installed. With Covid restrictions removed, international tourists are about to return to New Zealand and cycle tours are bound to bring many of them to visit beautiful Ōmokoroa.
Located near the midpoint of Ōmokoroa’s cycle path between Lynley Park and the Ōmokoroa Esplanade, Cooney Reserve was originally created to protect the adjacent sand bars on which large numbers of sea birds roosted. Over time, the reserve has become infested with noxious plants such as blackberry, gorse, pampas, paspalum, and kikuyu.
In 2021, Friends of Cooney was formed with the aim of restoring its natural beauty and making it an attractive community asset once more. With great cooperation from WBOPDC, mechanical
mulching of the major weed infestations has occurred and numerous ‘Friends of Cooney’ working bees are gradually clearing the fence lines.
A 5-year development plan is now being drawn up by Friends of Cooney with guidance from Anna Dawson (Regional Council) and Steven White (District Council). The plan includes the planting of suitable native trees and bushes which will increase bird life in the Reserve’s bush and wetlands, information boards describing the history of Cooney Reserve and the local cycleways, dog and pest-proofing the Reserve, and the possible creation of further pathways through the Reserve.
Friends of Cooney usually meet down in the Cooney Reserve carpark at 9am on Saturdays. Currently, WBOPDC has delivered many truckloads of Oioi grass and small Flax for planting in the reserve. It will take several months to plant this huge quantity of plants. So, Friends of Cooney are looking for some more keen volunteers to help out with the task. All you need is sturdy footwear and gloves. If you can bring along a spade and a garden hold-all, that would be great. But, if you don’t have any tools, don’t worry. You can always hold the plants upright whilst they are being dug in!