We are lucky to now have two community gardens in Grey Lynn. The “experts” next to St Columba Church who have loads of experience and a flourishing garden.
We also now have a new garden on Wilton Street directly behind the Gypsy Tearoom. Both the owner of the plot and the lessee have given the enterprise their blessing so ongoing tenure is assured.
The project has been started by Mandy McMullen and Jacqui Watson. Mandy, is a landscape architect, and intends to design a plan that might gain sponsorship from various funding sources, which would pay for
soil testing and structures that need to be put in place, such as a fence and a compost bin. A local businessman has offered to do any building required at a reduced rate.
There are a few locals already involved largely from Wilton Street who are keen on the project and have good skills to donate to it.
Presently it still looks like a empty section but Ponsonby News spoke to the Mandy and Jacqui who said the plot has already undergone a
transformation with a major weed problem tackled and almost overcome. They’ve hand cleared the site of jasmine that was growing right up into the trees. Although pretty, jasmine is very hard to eradicate
completely and will require ongoing control.
Some kind person has offered them a couple of goats to get rid of it, but that’s an option requiring careful consideration! Might be a bit upsetting for people having a tipple at Gypsy Tea Rooms….
The plan is that members of the community will pull together to create a resource that we can all enjoy. Part of their vision is to have a relaxation area as well, where they might have street barbeques, or neighbourhood celebrations at festival times.
