Inaugural planting day next step in plan to beautify Cross-Country Drain
With more than 1000 donated trees and shovels at the ready, the Pirimai Residents Association is hoping an inaugural planting day will not only aid recreational activity in the area but encourage biodiversity.
It is the next stage for the association which has undertaken significant work along the Cross-Country Drain in partnership with the Napier City Council and Hawke's Bay Regional Council.
What first started as an idea several years ago, was able to progress by Napier City Council with the installation of a limestone pathway using funds from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. The association then received funding through NCCs Te Puawaitanga – Green Communities Together Fund for three park benches along the Harold Hold Ave stretch of the path.
"Now we are wanting to plant along the drain to encourage the birdlife, and generally enhance the biodiversity of the area," Pirimai Residents Association Chairman Richard Catley says. It is hoped the planting day will become an annual occasion to ensure the length of the path is tended to.
They have received 1000 native plants from Hawke's Bay Regional Councillor Hinewai Ormsby and her husband Cam, 300 Oioi from Ravensdown Fertiliser and 270 plants, trees and mulch from NCC.
Napier City Councillor Sally Crown, Nelson Park Ward, said the association has done an "amazing job" collaborating with the councils and mobilising their community to be proactive. Over the years, she says Pirimai residents have built a strong working relationship with council.
Fellow Nelson Park Ward Councillor Greg Mawson attends their association meetings regularly and keeps the other councillors informed. "We've plugged in where it makes the most sense because I think the key to successful community initiatives and building thriving communities is that it is bit by bit. So this is a really good example of that."
Prior to the path, Sally says there was a grass area alongside the drain. "They are just creating this incredible area, which is long-term, looking to attract particular wildlife and create habitat for that wildlife that would naturally be able to thrive in that area.
It will also make the pathway more attractive and hopefully bring families down to picnic and enjoy the space, she says.
She says it is an opportunity for anyone to come along and do something positive together - "put on some gloves and plant some trees".
"They've been so enthusiastic about making sure that as a community they can come together and contribute in this way."
With the weather looking mostly fine, Richard says they are hoping for a good turnout to get the plants planted and mulched between 9am and 11am. There will also be a sausage sizzle put on by the association.
Cross Country Drain Planting Day:
When: Saturday, July 31
Where: Corner of Bill Hercock Street and Harold Holt Avenue, opposite the BUPA retirement village.
Time: 9am – 11am.
What to bring: A spade, gloves and a drink bottle. Please also bring a rake or wheelbarrow to help move the ground cover bark if you can.
