Parks Maintenance Delayed by Wet Weather

The recent exceptionally wet weather has thrown out New Plymouth District Council’s parks maintenance programme.

Many parks and reserves are unable to be mown as the soil is saturated, and the reshaping of the gardens and lawn in Pukekura Park’s Goodwin Dell has stalled half-way through until the soil dries out again.

Bedding displays throughout the district are being removed as the water-logged soil has resulted in fungal growth and a rapid decline in plant health.

“It’s incredibly frustrating to see plants declining and green spaces unable to be mowed, and not be able to do anything to fix the situation until the soil gets a breather from the rain,” says Manager Parks Mark Bruhn.

“We’ll keep the district’s bedding areas bare until late October when the summer plants arrive, and use the interim period to treat the soil with fungicide to prevent further disease outbreaks in the new plants.”

Meanwhile, Pukekura Park’s water wheel is back in place after repairs, and the fountain is expected to be running again next week after several nozzles as well as the fountain’s pump were replaced.

In addition, the base of the park’s waterfall has been reshaped by removing the boulders and creating steps to improve access to the pool. The work also eliminates a long-standing drainage issue at the site.