Latest news with #MariaBarrie
Scoop
18 hours ago
- General
- Scoop
Wellington Street Beach Park Gets ‘Summer Ready'
Start planning those picnics – improvements to the popular park area at Wellington Street Beach are set to be in place ahead of the upcoming summer season. Work to improve the park above the beach will get underway from 8 July 2025 and is expected to take around four months to complete. The future look of the park has been shaped by community feedback received in late 2023. The improvements will include repurposing the existing building to modern toilet standards, adding a new shade structure, barbeque, drinking fountain and seating, and carrying out planting and landscaping. Hamilton City Council's Parks and Recreation Unit Director Maria Barrie says the refreshed space will not only look nicer but will also improve safety for beachgoers, thanks to improved sightlines from the road to the river. 'Wellington Street Beach is a popular spot for Hamiltonians, so we wanted to ensure that the park improvements not only look good but more importantly, they help make this space safer, more accessible and fit for purpose,' said Barrie. 'A lot of consideration was put into the design for the park to ensure it ticks all the boxes. We look forward to getting this work underway and delivering an enhanced space for the community to enjoy.' The improvement works have been scheduled to occur outside of summer, so they don't impact on the community's ability to enjoy this space over the warmer months. During the work, areas of the park above Wellington Street Beach will be fenced off and there will be a short detour for river path users via Jellicoe Drive.
Scoop
21-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Hamilton Gears Up For A Busy Planting Season
Press Release – Hamilton City Council With the goal of planting 15,000 native plants on Arbor Day, Hamilton schools, workplaces and residents are invited to come along, pick up a spade, and lend a hand from 10am 1.30pm. Get ready to roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty, and do your bit to restore nature in Hamilton Kirikiriroa. Cooler weather means planting season starts soon, with the 2025 calendar set to be bigger than ever. As well as the popular annual Arbor Day, Hamilton residents also have the opportunity to get involved in two Plantathon events and a new Plant and Ride initiative as part of Hamilton City Council's Nature in the City programme. (Photo/Supplied) Parks and Recreation Unit Director Maria Barrie said the efforts put in to plant native trees during planting season will go a long way to help achieve the city's long-term vision. 'The Nature in the City Strategy aims to increase Hamilton's native vegetation cover to 10% by 2050. We only have 25 years left to reach this ambitious goal and can't do it alone – we need as many nature-loving volunteers as possible to help us shape a greener city for future generations.' This year's community planting events will kick off with Arbor Day on Thursday 5 June, which will this year be held at a new location, Minogue Park. With the goal of planting 15,000 native plants on Arbor Day, Hamilton schools, workplaces and residents are invited to come along, pick up a spade, and lend a hand from 10am – 1.30pm. Hamilton City Councillor Anna Casey-Cox encourages people to get behind the cause. 'We have so many amazing and dedicated volunteers, schools and community groups in our city who weed and plant our gullies and forests all year long. This Arbor Day and planting season is an opportunity to get behind them, tautoko their important work and help nature thrive,' Casey-Cox said. Special guests from the Kids in Nature programme will be at Arbor Day to educate attendees on introduced predators, bees, and Aotearoa's native lizards. Tours around Lake Rotokaeo and the surrounding bush will be available for anyone interested on the day. Barrie says more native plants will not only enhance the environment and support our native wildlife, but will also benefit those that live and spend time here. 'We know being around nature can be magic for people's wellbeing. By restoring more nature for people to connect with, we can help improve the wellbeing of Hamiltonians.' In July, two Saturday planting events will be held at different parks in Hamilton to provide more opportunities for residents to get involved in restoring nature in the city. Plantathon 2025 will take place at: Caernarvon Park, Dinsdale on Saturday 5 July, 11am – 1pm Tauhara Park, Queenwood on Saturday 12 July, 11am – 1pm. This will be the second year that Plantathon has been held in Hamilton, following three successful events in 2024 held at Sandford Park, Hillcrest Stadium, and Minogue Park. This year will also mark the start of a new community planting opportunity Plant and Ride on Saturday 9 August from 11am – 2pm. This unique event will encourage Hamiltonians to get out in the fresh air and cycle, scooter, or stroll along the river path to three different planting sites. The Saturday events aim to make community planting more accessible for families and working individuals to come along to participate. Those wanting to find out more about the upcoming planting events and register their interest can do so via Nature in the City's new volunteering platform at Content Sourced from Original url
Scoop
21-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Hamilton Gears Up For A Busy Planting Season
Get ready to roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty, and do your bit to restore nature in Hamilton Kirikiriroa. Cooler weather means planting season starts soon, with the 2025 calendar set to be bigger than ever. As well as the popular annual Arbor Day, Hamilton residents also have the opportunity to get involved in two Plantathon events and a new Plant and Ride initiative as part of Hamilton City Council's Nature in the City programme. Parks and Recreation Unit Director Maria Barrie said the efforts put in to plant native trees during planting season will go a long way to help achieve the city's long-term vision. 'The Nature in the City Strategy aims to increase Hamilton's native vegetation cover to 10% by 2050. We only have 25 years left to reach this ambitious goal and can't do it alone – we need as many nature-loving volunteers as possible to help us shape a greener city for future generations.' This year's community planting events will kick off with Arbor Day on Thursday 5 June, which will this year be held at a new location, Minogue Park. With the goal of planting 15,000 native plants on Arbor Day, Hamilton schools, workplaces and residents are invited to come along, pick up a spade, and lend a hand from 10am – 1.30pm. Hamilton City Councillor Anna Casey-Cox encourages people to get behind the cause. 'We have so many amazing and dedicated volunteers, schools and community groups in our city who weed and plant our gullies and forests all year long. This Arbor Day and planting season is an opportunity to get behind them, tautoko their important work and help nature thrive,' Casey-Cox said. Special guests from the Kids in Nature programme will be at Arbor Day to educate attendees on introduced predators, bees, and Aotearoa's native lizards. Tours around Lake Rotokaeo and the surrounding bush will be available for anyone interested on the day. Barrie says more native plants will not only enhance the environment and support our native wildlife, but will also benefit those that live and spend time here. 'We know being around nature can be magic for people's wellbeing. By restoring more nature for people to connect with, we can help improve the wellbeing of Hamiltonians.' In July, two Saturday planting events will be held at different parks in Hamilton to provide more opportunities for residents to get involved in restoring nature in the city. Plantathon 2025 will take place at: Caernarvon Park, Dinsdale on Saturday 5 July, 11am – 1pm Tauhara Park, Queenwood on Saturday 12 July, 11am – 1pm. This will be the second year that Plantathon has been held in Hamilton, following three successful events in 2024 held at Sandford Park, Hillcrest Stadium, and Minogue Park. This year will also mark the start of a new community planting opportunity Plant and Ride on Saturday 9 August from 11am – 2pm. This unique event will encourage Hamiltonians to get out in the fresh air and cycle, scooter, or stroll along the river path to three different planting sites. The Saturday events aim to make community planting more accessible for families and working individuals to come along to participate. Those wanting to find out more about the upcoming planting events and register their interest can do so via Nature in the City's new volunteering platform at
Scoop
19-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Council Branching Out For Feedback On Their Approach To Trees
Press Release – Hamilton City Council Hamilton City Council is asking for feedback on a draft policy which sets out how trees on public land such as parks, streets, and reserves will be planted, maintained, and when necessary, removed. From shaded streets to leafy parks, Hamilton's trees are getting a policy position and locals are being asked for their thoughts. Hamilton City Council is asking for feedback on a draft policy which sets out how trees on public land – such as parks, streets, and reserves – will be planted, maintained, and when necessary, removed. The draft Tree Policy formalises existing practices and proposes clearer guidelines to ensure consistency, safety, and long-term environmental benefits. Maria Barrie, Parks and Recreation Unit Director, says the policy is a step towards a greener, more resilient city. 'Trees are critical for our city to clean our air, cool our streets, support biodiversity, and improve wellbeing. We manage more than 100,000 trees and this Policy aims to make sure we get the right tree in the right place, manage them wisely and fairly, and make it easy for our community to know what we do.' It also proposes a new approach for developments that require tree removal. Instead of developers managing replacement planting themselves, they would pay Council to handle the process – allowing for better planning, care, and survival of new trees. The Policy excludes trees on private land and those already protected under the District Plan. Council is also using the consultation to raise awareness about the value of trees and encourage community involvement in their care. 'We all have a part to play in helping trees thrive. A lot of people don't know that parking on the berm under a tree can damage the roots over time, leading to poor tree health, and putting grass clippings on a tree root can cause it to rot,' said Barrie. The consultation runs until 16 June and feedback can be provided online at or by completing a submission form available at libraries and the Council office. A report on the feedback will be presented to Council in July, with a final decision expected in September.
Scoop
19-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Council Branching Out For Feedback On Their Approach To Trees
From shaded streets to leafy parks, Hamilton's trees are getting a policy position and locals are being asked for their thoughts. Hamilton City Council is asking for feedback on a draft policy which sets out how trees on public land – such as parks, streets, and reserves – will be planted, maintained, and when necessary, removed. The draft Tree Policy formalises existing practices and proposes clearer guidelines to ensure consistency, safety, and long-term environmental benefits. Maria Barrie, Parks and Recreation Unit Director, says the policy is a step towards a greener, more resilient city. 'Trees are critical for our city to clean our air, cool our streets, support biodiversity, and improve wellbeing. We manage more than 100,000 trees and this Policy aims to make sure we get the right tree in the right place, manage them wisely and fairly, and make it easy for our community to know what we do.' It also proposes a new approach for developments that require tree removal. Instead of developers managing replacement planting themselves, they would pay Council to handle the process – allowing for better planning, care, and survival of new trees. The Policy excludes trees on private land and those already protected under the District Plan. Council is also using the consultation to raise awareness about the value of trees and encourage community involvement in their care. 'We all have a part to play in helping trees thrive. A lot of people don't know that parking on the berm under a tree can damage the roots over time, leading to poor tree health, and putting grass clippings on a tree root can cause it to rot,' said Barrie. The consultation runs until 16 June and feedback can be provided online at or by completing a submission form available at libraries and the Council office. A report on the feedback will be presented to Council in July, with a final decision expected in September.
