A community project led by Waverley Street Kindergarten has seen the community come together to turn an unused patch of land into a creative and productive spot to be enjoyed by all.
Richmond Holy Trinity Anglican Church offered the opportunity for the kindergarten to ‘adopt-a-spot’ on their grassy hill. The area is nestled under huge trees where birds can be heard singing, and no fences give the space a natural feel and an opportunity for children to be emersed in nature.
Tamariki from the kindergarten have been actively involved in the project and spend time at the newly-created spot a few times each week.
The area has been cleared of overgrown shrubbery, with local businesses and organisations contributing to the space in various ways by building planter boxes and donating trees, grasses, stones, soil, discounted waste removal and volunteers at working bees.
Head teacher Matthew Shea says, the project, which now hosts vegetable gardens, has “brought all different people and groups from the community together”.
“This is not just a space for kindergarten tamariki, it’s a space for everyone and the involvement from the community has been amazing.”
“Each time we have been working in the garden, we have had people from the community that we don’t know stop to chat,” teacher Tessa Hick adds.
“It’s been great to engage with them and the tamariki have enjoyed the interaction, too.”
“The new housing development down the road has no greenspace,” says teacher Leah Kilkelly.
“We also have several motels in walking distance that have long-term residents and we are hoping people from these places will come and enjoy this accessible space.”
Vicar Zane Elliot says they were “super keen” to support the concept and share their space with the kindergarten.
“We hope it will create some really positive intergenerational connections for our church whānau as well as the students.”
