Many of the city's neighbourhood parks are cared for with the help of the local community. Find out how you can get involved!

Community planting; photographer Aaron Campbell.

Family conservation sessions at West Broken Run Reserve

Join Park Rangers at a conservation session and have some fun in your local reserve! Learn how to plant and play fun nature games.

  • 10am to 12pm, Thursday 15 July
  • 10am to 12pm, Saturday 17 July

Tools and plants provided. Parents must accompany and be responsible for their children and be willing to participate in activities.

You will need sturdy footwear, warm layers, a jacket and a hat.

You are welcome to bring snacks and drinks - we recommend something warm in a thermos. There are no toilets on site but some available within a three-minute drive.

Please register your attendance with Park Ranger Heidi Wilton Heidi.Wilton@ccc.govt.nz.

Meet in West Broken Run Reserve, Wigram Road. Recommended parking along Asheridge Place and then walk a short distance to the reserve.

Laura Kent Reserve

The Laura Kent Reserve Workgroup meet on the first Saturday of every month for a couple of hours.  

We remove blackberry, poplar seedlings and other unwanted species and are planting native plants historically found in the area. 

Please come and join us here with spades, gloves & a sense of humour!

  • Monthly on the first Saturday of the month between 9am and 11am
  • Between Radley Street and Riley Cresent, beside the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River

Head to the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River Network (external link)for more information or register your interest by emailing dugaldwil@gmail.com.

Thistledown Reserve

Join Park Rangers, Ihutai Trust and passionate volunteers at the Thistledown Reserve working bee.

  • Monthly on Saturday mornings between 10am and 12 noon
  • End of Thistledown Place, Woolston

Tasks include planting, pruning, weeding and mulching. Wear gumboots or old sneakers as there are wet and muddy areas on site.

Download the 2020 schedule. [PDF, 647 KB]

Farnley Reserve 

  • Every third Sunday of the month, 9am to 10.30am
  • Eastern Terrace, Beckenham

Tasks include weeding, mulching and planting. Wear sturdy footwear and bring your own morning tea gloves, wheelbarrow and gardening tools.

For more information, friendsoffarnley@gmail.com.

Papanui Bush 

  • Every second Tuesday of the month, 8.30am to 12.30pm
  • Bridgestone Reserve, 46 Langdons Road, Papanui

Tasks include weed releasing, planting and general tidying up.

Contact Denis McMurtrie on 021 125 1920 for more information.

Drayton Reserve

Drayton Reserve also holds regular working bees, check the Drayton Reserve Volunteers(external link) website or sign up for the newsletter to receive details of upcoming planting days.

During autumn, winter and spring, volunteer work is often focused around planting, weeding and mulching. In summer, work is mainly weeding, watering and litter removal.

Bring sturdy footwear, a bottle of water, snacks and warm clothes. Some gloves and spades are provided but bring your own if you can.