In a heartwarming display of community collaboration, the Green by Nature Horticulture Team has joined forces with Horowhenua District Council Parks Officers and dedicated Prouse Bush Group volunteers to breathe new life into a cherished local garden space.

This garden’s journey has been one of resilience and renewal. Initially planted some years ago, the garden flourished into a beautiful community asset until it suffered a significant setback when many of its plants were unfortunately removed without authorisation.

Rather than let this setback define the garden’s future, the community rallied together. Last year marked a turning point when the Horowhenua District Council organized an innovative Futures Group day. Local college students had the opportunity to work alongside industry professionals from Green by Nature and Council staff, gaining hands-on experience in garden planning and horticultural pruning techniques.

Building on this momentum, 2024 has seen the garden’s story come full circle. The Horowhenua District Council collaborated closely with the Prouse Bush Group to reimagine the garden’s design. Green by Nature played a crucial role in fine-tuning plant selections and ground preparation, ensuring the new plantings would thrive in their environment.

The project culminated in a community planting day, where all parties came together to install the carefully selected plants and refresh the garden’s mulch. This collaborative effort not only restored the garden’s beauty but also strengthened community bonds and demonstrated the power of partnership between local government, environmental professionals, and dedicated community volunteers.

The renewed garden stands as a testament to the community’s resilience and shared commitment to creating and maintaining beautiful public spaces for everyone to enjoy.