Ponsonby’s Kelmarna Gardens has recently completed improvements to their entranceway thanks to financial support from Waitematā Local Board.
New bike parking and wheel stops have been installed along with curved seating designed by Carl Pickens Landscape Architect. Surrounding gardens have been shaped and edged, the driveway smoothed and a circular garden space for pollinator-attracting plants has been created.
Three decades of organic gardening
Kelmarna Gardens, a city farm and organic community garden, has lain tucked away in the city-fringe suburb for more than three decades growing organic vegetables, raising chickens and grazing cows.
Chair of Kelmarna Gardens Trust Philippa Wilkie says the new entranceway is now a more welcoming space for the many people who visit the gardens each week.
“We’re incredibly grateful that the board has supported our vision to improve the entranceway. Visitors and community members will now be able to come, rest and absorb the sensory garden full of bees and butterflies,” she says.
Gardens of great value to the community
Waitematā Local Board Chair Pippa Coom says it’s great to see how Kelmarna Gardens has taken a modest grant from the board of just over $7000 and by partnering with volunteers and contractors, including Auckland Council’s contractor Ventia, they have added so much value to the gardens.
“We recognise the value and benefits of community gardens as a way to foster community connection and in response to the challenges of climate change, food security and rising food costs.”
“So we’re very pleased to support Kelmarna to create a welcoming space that will further encourage visitors and community involvement."
Kelmarna Gardens is open to visitors seven days a week through the pedestrian gate at the Hukanui Crescent entrance. You can also contact the garden manager Adrian Roche at kelmarnagardens@gmail.com to book a guided tour.
