Scott Street Walkway is a little known about pathway that connects through from Scott Street to Gladstone Street in Hāwera.
The area was originally planted in 2014 with 250 native plants in a collaborative project between South Taranaki District Council and Tawhiti School.
The long-standing connection of Tawhiti School to the space was reinforced again this week with a group of 20 students heading there to lend a hand alongside STDC Places and Spaces Volunteer Coordinator Alice Arnold.
“Tamariki were busy planting native plants, clearing weeds, utilising cabbage tree leaves as weed suppressant around the base of new planting, as well as planting a Totara Tree – a special plant for this particular group, being the name of the student’s classroom back at school. We weren’t the only one’s inhabiting the space that day, as there were lots of listening and looking at native birds that flew around as the group worked hard. It was a fantastic time with many smiling faces, and all involved getting stuck in doing their bit for this community space enhancing their local environment.
The intention is that the area of planting becomes an established block of native planting, providing a wildlife corridor that connects through to Hāwera Cemetery, Naumai Park and Goodson Dell.
In recent years more work has been done in this area by another group of volunteers, The Friends of Hāwera Parks Inc. This group has worked extremely hard with their aim to establish planting, improve water quality and control pests.
Already there is much more birdlife in the area and the planting is beginning to get very well established. The Friends too have recently had more time getting stuck into the mahi at the walkway with working bee days and have just installed a new sign letting the public know about the project and how others that are interested can get involved.
For those wanting to learn more or help contribute, please contact Alice Arnold by emailing alice.arnold@stdc.govt.nz or phone 0800 111 323.
