General information about the group: (For latest information posts please see below) The
Churton Park Revegetation Group is sponsored by the Churton Park
Community Association, and supported by both Wellington City Council and
Greater Wellington Regional Council. Current areas of activity and description are as follows: 1 Wingfield Reserve The group members are undertaking the ecological restoration of a high profile area of Churton Park. Wingfield 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. The reserve contains one of the upper tributaries of the Porirua Stream. The site has been the focus of the group’s efforts since 2004. 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 has been radically transformed from a weedy, overgrown and inaccessible eyesore to a healthy, accessible bush fringed waterway for people to enjoy. At the Wingfield Reserve site the group has:
Future work:
Plants becoming established at the south end of the site adjacent to Wingfield Place Feb 2011  Same area July 2014   Same area July 2014  Planters on Saturday 7 August 2010  Same area July 2014 2 Stebbings Dam Right Bank This is a new area
commenced in 2014. The area adjacent to the top of the spillway was
planted out when the dam was built. However many of the plants did not
survive. This small project was to tidy up the area to bring it back to
comply with the original landscape plan. The group was supported by
the Wellington Regional Council for this project. Planting was carried
out on Arbor Day June 2014 assisted by a group of children from Churton
Park School. 3 Lakewood Reserve at south end Wellington City Council have been putting a lot of effort into tidying Lakewood reserve over recent years. Many of the large trees were felled, along with extensive areas of replanting. The group is working with WCC on this project. The plan is to get 500 plants into the ground in 2014 to extend the existing plantings. There are two main areas. The first is to plant around the edges of the currently grassed areas in the south west corner, near to the bridge. The remaining area of grass will then be more easily mown. The second area is to plant among the large number of flax plants that are dying due to a virus. In this area, because some of the existing shrubs are well established, some climax tree species will be used.  Planting area adjacent to end of bridge July 2014  Planting area among existing trees and shrubs July 2014 How you can help. Working bees 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 as detailed below to volunteer or find out when work is next planned. Contact information The group is led by John Morrison, ph: 477 1020 Email revegetation@churtonpark.org.nz |
Revegetation Group
Programme for 2019
The planting for 2019 is mainly in the centre of the site along the path from the tennis court north to Westchester Drive. The planting will extend and consolidate last years planting which was adjacent to some established trees. Planting will take place on Saturdays 8 June and 6 July, commencing at 1pm. Park vehicles at the Tennis court car park off Lakewood Ave and meet at the actual planting area. Gloves and tools available but bring your own if you wish. For any queries please contact John Morrison 477 1020 |
Programme for work in 2018
In late summer WCC carried out an extensive spraying programme over all of Lakewood Reserve. Some of the sprayed areas will become our planting blocks for this winter, after they have been cut-over and prepared. We are now extending north alongside the stream, and this year almost every plant will be on the flat. This is a big improvement from earlier years, when planting was on some very steep areas. Over the summer the plants have made good growth, but as would be expected after the long dry spells, some will need to be replaced. Once again 500 plants have been ordered from WCC. If the weather is unsuitable, planting may be delayed to either within the following week or the following Saturday. |
Good progress in 2017 with planting
The planting work for 2017 is now complete with 500 more plants happily in the ground in Lakewood Reserve. We had good weather for both planting days and got the job done quite quickly. In addition, all the plants have been mulched and marked with stakes. In addition, there has been planting to extend east on the bank at the tennis court carpark and beside the driveway. In order to fit these plants in, some areas of weeds and dead flax bushes were cleared.The planting now extends on the east side of the stream down to the clump of mature cabbage trees, with groups of plants between the toetoe bushes.  Planting helpers on 8 July 2017   |
Planting day coming up
The next planting day is on Saturday 6 August
2016 commencing at 1pm. Park at the tennis courts, and
we will meet at the "Lions Seat" which is close to where we will
be planting. The planting areas are on the flat this time, on both sides of the stream, on the north side of the cross valley path. WCC have cleared spaces between the dying flax and toetoe bushes, so the plants will get some shelter. There are 200 plants coming this time, but should be straight forward work being on the flat. When WCC did the clearing, many parts of the planting area have quite thick cut material lying on the ground which will make good mulch. However it will need to be raked out of the way before digging, and then put back around the plants. Because of this, some rakes will be useful. If we get the plants in quickly there is also lots of releasing
that can be done too! I will provide gloves and digging implements, but feel free to bring your own. In addition, a couple of rakes would be useful. |
Planting now complete for 2015
Another successful planting season is now complete.
Special thanks to all who came and helped on the various sites or supported the Revegetation Group in other ways. Wingfield Reserve Additional plants sourced from the Jay St nursery were planted on the steep slope down from Wingfield Place to replace the plants that were lost over the very dry summer. These plants have been recently released, along with the plants on the Farm Track across the centre of the site. Stebbings Dam Right abutment. The plants in this location also suffered badly from the dry summer. The gaps were filled also with plants from Jay St. Lakewood Reserve South end. The big area which slopes down from the tennis court carpark was fully planted and subsequently mulched. We are hoping that this area will not suffer too much if we get another dry summer. The balance of the planting was in the Lions Seat block, where infilling was carried out among the previous years planting. Because this area is in a flat damp area the plants should survive well. All these areas have been subsequently released and mulched by a very enthusiastic and capable group from Contact Energy. Programme for 2016 WCC have decided that the next area to be planted will be on both sides of the stream from the bridge downstream. The toetoe plants in this area are reaching the end of their lives, so the planting will be between the old plants. This will give some protection for the new plants. In addition there will be some infilling of existing areas and releasing the smaller plants.
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Planting programme for 2015
Saturday 9 May Wingfield Reserve on Wingfield Place side.New helpers always welcome. For more information please contact John Morrison 477 1020. |
Extra planting day at Lakewood Reserve
Please note that planting will take place on Saturday 16 August commencing at 1pm. Come along and lend a hand to help enhance the green heart of Churton Park. |
Help Enhance the Green Heart of Churton Park- Lakewood Reserve
The
Churton
Park re-vegetation group is now working with
WCC to help with the ongoing planting in this area. Planting and
mulching afternoons at Lakewood Reserve are scheduled for Saturdays 26
July and 9 August, commencing at 1pm. Come along and lend a hand! No experience required - only enthusiasm. Meet at the Tennis Court carpark, off Lakewood Ave. Tools and gloves are available, but bring your own if possible. For further information please contact John Morrison 477 1020 or revegetation@churtonpark.org.nz
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Planting Programme for 2014
The planting days scheduled for this year are as follows: Thursday 5 June at 10am. Stebbings Dam at top of spillway on south side. Plants supplied by GWRC. This planting area is to tidy up the landscaping carried out when the dam was built, as not many plants had survived. As
planting at Wingfield Reserve is nearing completion, WCC have invited
us to move to another area to assist them in their activities. |
Planting now complete for 2013
With three planting days, the volunteers have now planted 590 trees and shrubs. These are made up of 540 supplied by WCC with the balance being split up flax and toetoe plants. This now completes planting for this season. The areas worked on were the flat area at the north end by the Office Max fence, and along the edge of the Farm Track in the middle of the site. Now some gentle rain is required to get them well settled in. Unfortunately we had some vandalism in the newly planted area at the north end, when about 25 plants were pulled out and thrown over the fence. The plants were soon back in their former places, but some have been lost. The Johnsonville Police have been advised. If any other vandalism is noticed, please phone the Revegetation Group Coordinator, John Morrison, on 477 1020. |
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