Something beautiful
is coming here soon
What is happening at this
corner of the park?
Together with Auckland Council, Pupuke Birdsong Project, and Neville Design Studio, we are embarking on an ecological restoration of this corner of Seine Reserve. We will be working on this site over winter to prepare the soil, and plant natives to bring biodiversity, and a bit of beauty to this corner of Seine Reserve.
Here is the design plan we are working towards. You can click on it to enlarge the image. If you want to know more about the plants we have chosen, you can view the plant palettehere.
So why go to all the fuss?
Call us hopeless romantics, but we love our community of Forrest Hill. We live in a beautiful valley that we call home. It will be no surprise to you that things have changed around here over the last… well… 100 years.
Prior to this road being developed, this was a creek, home to native water-loving plants, and the odd adventurous child looking for eels. Fast forward a few years, and here we are, with very few plants, native and indigenous to this specific site.
We want to bring a bit of the past back, not just for nostalgia, but because this section of the park is frequently underwater. There are native plants which love the wetland environment, and will also help to suck that water up (good for them, and good for us). But that is not all. By planting native plants here, we are encouraging biodiversity, providing a home for all our native living creatures, and contributing to a flood-resilient community. It’s all part of creating a beautiful and healthy neighbourhood. Learn more about Auckland Council’s Spongy Cities programme here.
Who is behind this project?
This ecological restoration is a collaboration between a few great groups. As we say: Teamwork Makes the Beans Work (reference).
Auckland Council
Firstly, this is an Auckland Council Reserve, and this planting falls under their parks maintenance schedule. They will oversee the planting and provide many of the resources and plants required. They will also help maintain this planting over time.
Pupuke Birdsong Project
Pupuke Birdsong Project is a community-based organisation actively engaging in tree planting, predator control, pest plant control, and water quality improvement across the Takapuna-Devonport Local Board area. These generous folk are providing funding and plants, and bringing their team to work alongside our team of volunteers. Learn more.
Grow Forrest Hill
Grow Forrest Hill occupy the top corner of this park, and we consider ourselves kaitiaki (caretakers) of this space. Our vision is to help build community and create beautiful spaces to facilitate play and a healthy, connected community. We will oversee the planting project, coordinate all stakeholders, and care for it as it grows.
Neville Design Studio
Richard is a landscape designer passionate about healthy landscapes and healthy communities. He has been working with Grow Forrest Hill for several years and has enthusiastically jumped on board to help make this planting plan a reality. Thanks Richard. Learn more about his work here.
Want to be involved?
If you want to be part of the team helping to plant this garden, and others around the neighbourhood, you can reach out by clicking Contact button below.
Even better, come along to our weekly working bee and introduce yourself. We meet everyone Sunday, rain or shine, in this very reserve from 2-4 pm.