It has taken eight years, but a group of Richmond residents finally have the plants in the ground on a reserve they were promised, where the largely elderly neighbourhood can meet, chat and play with the grandkids.
When June Savage and her neighbours bought their sections around Langdale Drive eight years ago, she says there was a reserve on the developer’s plans. Then it wasn’t.
“There was a plan with a reserve and then somewhere along the line the developer was told they didn’t need a reserve because there was another reserve nearby – the cemetery.”
It spurred the group of residents to fight for their reserve which had been a factor when buying their sections and somewhere where they could meet as a community. The end result was a compromise, with half of the reserve sold for housing and the other half, which is the size of two small sections, bought by the council as a reserve.
“It was a real battle,” June says. “There were meetings, petitions and negotiations, but we finally got there. It’s a communal meeting place for people out walking to sit and chat. The planting is done and we’re just waiting for the seating now because the people around here are all in their 70s and 80s.”
The neighbourhood joined staff from the Tasman District Council and Nelmac for a recent planting day and the combined team managed to plant about 350 plants in an hour.
A mix of edibles and ornamentals have been planted among rocks, with a concrete area for a table and seating.
Then it was time to celebrate in what they consider is now one of the best gardens around.
“We’re just thrilled with it – it looks fabulous. We’ve had our first party on it to celebrate.”
