OurAuckland is celebrating 50 years of regional parks with a look back at the history of the parks.
During the 1980s, visitor numbers to Auckland’s regional parks grew by 50 per cent and infrastructure improvements were completed across the network.
Community tree-planting days and other environmental programmes were introduced to cater for the growing public demand to participate in conservation initiatives. The first community tree-planting days were held in 1985 at Cornwallis Regional Park in the Waitākere Ranges, and events continue to this day.
Every winter, volunteers plant tens of thousands of plants, helping to restore habitats and provide safe havens for native fauna.
“Seeds are collected on the parks and propagated into seedlings at our nurseries,” says Auckland Council conservation ranger Ali Meade. “The planting days are the culmination of months of planning and help from our volunteers.”
Visit regional parks for information on how to volunteer.
