Churton Park Revegation Group
This group is sponsored by the Churton Park Community Association. Group members are undertaking the ecological restoration of Wingfield reserve, which is a high profile area of Churton Park. This reserve runs parallel to Middleton Road north from Wingfield Place for about 400 metres, and is very visible from Middleton Road, which is a main access route. One of the upper tributaries of the Porirua Stream runs through Wingfield Reserve. Before work started the reserve and stream were not visible as they were hidden beneath a thick canopy of willow trees and choked with blackberry. The reserve is now being radically transformed from a weedy, overgrown and inaccessible eyesore to a healthy, accessible bush fringed waterway for people to enjoy.
At this site the group has:
- Established a good access route through the length of the site;
- Removed blackberry, pest plants, and problem trees such as willows, hawthorn, and macrocarpa;
- Planted several thousand native plants, from small streamside rushes, to kahikatea;
- Involved the community, business groups and service clubs; and
- Improved the habitat of the stream for native fish.
Working bees are held throughout the year. During the planting season (May to September), there are regular planting days (usually once a month) which anyone can attend. New members are always welcome, as is the assistance of corporate groups (such as businesses, government departments, or community groups) that want to give a half or full day back to the community, and have a great experience at the same time.
You can contact the group on the numbers below to volunteer or find out when work is next planned.
Contact information
The Churton Park Community Association email is: revegetation@churtonpark.org.nz
The group is led by John Morrison, ph: 477 1020
Greater Wellington contact
Geoff Skene, ph: 381 7757; geoff.skene@gw.govt.nz
