Working with the Community
We love living on the shore and care about our community deeply, so when we have the time, it’s great to be able to give a little back.
Lollipops Kindercare, Takapuna
This particular outdoor area was in shade from late morning onwards which meant the grass got extremely muddy, particularly in winter. The Centre manager asked me to create a design which would retain some of the grass, add some interest, and allow the tamariki to continue to use the space without it becoming a muddy mess. We had some small benches which could be used and were donated some pavers to use as stepping stones, I incorporated some child friendly plants to add interest and came up with the below design which the team at Lollipops installed expertly!
Devonport Community House
Whilst working as a volunteer gardener for the Devonport Community House Amanda noticed that the garden at the front of the centre needed a bit of an overhaul. Luckily Amanda’s husband works in construction and was able to give up a day to help Amanda with the hardscaping aspects. A kind local resident provided the stepping stones and the community house provided the plants.
Our brief was to upgrade the garden at the front of the Community House, replacing the sunken and uneven pathway with a solid level path and adding stepping stones to access the letterboxes and tap. We also needed to add attractive but easy care plants. First job was digging out a good trailer load of topsoil so we were ready to build a nice solid concrete foundation for the new pathway and stepping stones. After adding a good dressing of compost the ground was ready for the plants, we chose Hebes for around the stepping stones, two Hebe Inspiration, two Diosmifolia Mauve, and a Marie Antionette in the centre to camouflage the water meter cover. Star Jasmine were added around the bases of the noticeboard and a Bird of Paradise took centre stage next to the pathway. All of the plants will fill out into their spaces nicely over the coming years. After a good soaking (helped along by the torrential rain we were working in in the afternoon) a nice thick layer of decorative bark was added on Saturday morning to bring it all together and to keep the weeds at bay.
Mairangi Bay Playcentre
This local Play centre has an amazing outdoor space for the little ones to adventure in. This particular area of it had become overgrown and needed a little taming. We tidied the area, making it more accessible and uncovering the 'Lazy River' which had been completely hidden. I just wish I'd have had a bit of time to stay and explore the rest of the huge outdoor area, the centre's children are some very lucky tamariki!
Planting herbs at Kindercare
“Amanda was very patient with our children who eagerly gathered around her and she gave us the chance to feel and smell the herb plants she brought (dill, thyme, mint and rosemary) before we helped her plant and water them. Amanda explained how it is good to use animal poo (which she brought in a bucket) to help the plants grow.
Thank you very much Amanda. We appreciate your time and patience. We also learned so much from you in such a short time.”
