This project will
Enhance biodiversity in Hamilton Kirikiriroa
Create spontaneous play opportunities
Reduce emissions from mowing and related activities
Project summary
What we’re doing
Our Parks and Recreation team are trialing growing wildflower meadows and not mowing at selected sites across the city during spring and early summer. These trials will be implemented to test the effectiveness of long grass and meadows across a variety of landscapes.
The locations involved in this trial include:
- Beale Cottage
- Derek Heather Park
- Hamilton East Cemetery
- Hamilton Lake Domain
- Hare Puke Park
- Hillcrest Park
- Innes Common
- Korikori Park
- Mangaiti Park
- Minogue Park
- Resthills Park
- Tauhara Park
- Yendell Park.
Why we’re doing it
We want to experiment and evaluate the outcomes and benefits of growing long grass and meadows.
This isn’t the first time it’s been done in Hamilton. In 2019, a public art installation by Adrienne Grant tried the concept out on a smaller scale.
What's next?
We are currently gathering data to evaluate the outcomes and perceived benefits of the trial. We are also collating feedback from people in the community about their thoughts on the no-mow and wildflower meadows.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the trials happening?
You can find the maps of the trial sites here. We have spoken to neighbouring organisations and have support from all.
How long will it be running?
The trial will run from early September 2023 until 22 January 2024 at the latest.
What will happen if it is not successful?
Staff will regularly monitor the sites and if a site starts to deteriorate, it will be mowed back into regular park turf land.
Will there be more sites in the future?
If the trials are successful, our team will look to expand the practice to more parks in the future over spring and early summer.
What type of wildflowers will be planted?
We will be trialing multiple different blends around the city. Some will focus on bees, others will be hardier flowers, and some will be low growing plants.
Can you pick the flowers?
We want the flowers to be seen and enjoyed by all, so please leave the flowers in the ground and do not pick them.
When will the flowers be visible?
Flowers have begun to get planted. It will take around two weeks to complete planting (finished by end of September). Depending on the species, we expect the meadows to flower from late spring through to early summer.
Will the long grass affect my fence line?
The edge of the parks will be maintained and regularly mowed. There will be no long grass grown 7-10m from the boundary line.
Feedback
Last updated 24 January 2024