Papakura’s Rollerson Reserve can finally live up to its name after being granted reserve status.
Papakura Local Board has approved the area being classified as a recreation reserve under the 1977 Reserves Act, which says reserves must be classified according to their principal or primary purpose.
Rollerson is an open grassed area used for informal recreation but is also famous in the area for the gardens tended by the Rollerson Park Community Garden Committee.
The land must be classified so that the group can be granted the right to use it.
Board chair Brent Catchpole says it’s a technicality but it’s good to get it out of the way so that the gardens can continue.
“The folk involved do a terrific job and they are very generous with what they grow, often distributing it to the community.
“It’s an area that has no road frontages, just long accessways to reach it, but it’s an important asset for the local community.
“The garden has been operating since 2014 and has five large communal garden beds, 20 smaller garden beds for individuals and some fruit trees, and it also has three raised gardens for those with disabilities.
“We want our town to be inclusive so anything that helps members of the disabled community enjoy a little gardening, which most of us would take for granted, has to be a good thing.”
