Many of the city's neighbourhood parks are cared for with the help of the local community. Find out how you can get involved.

Community volunteer days

Lancaster Park Community Planting Day

Help us make Lancaster Park beautiful! Join Park Rangers to cover this iconic park with native plants like sedge, rush and flax.

  • 10am to midday, Wednesday 10 July
  • Meet in the South-west corner of the park. The nearest entrances are either off Talfourd Place or Lismore Street.

Make sure you wear lots of warm layers, a hat and a raincoat.

Sturdy footwear like boots or gumboots are a must and we recommend bringing recommend sunscreen, water and a snack.

You might also like to bring your own work/gardening gloves along.

All tools will be provided.

This event will go ahead rain or shine.

For more information, please contact Community Ranger Karen Smith on Parks.Volunteers@ccc.govt.nz.

Westmorland Community Planting Day

Join volunteers for a planting morning in Westmorland East Valley Reserve.

  • 10am to midday, Sunday 14 July
  • Meet at the bottom of the main track through the reserve, signs will be on-site to guide you.

There are 800 native plants supplied by Christchurch City Council and Trees for Canterbury so we need lots of help. The planting sites are on a slope this year but we always welcome families and encourage sturdy shoes. The planting will happen rain hail or shine.

Please bring a spade, gloves, a water bottle and sturdy footwear.

Find out more on the Westmorland Ecology Facebook page.(external link)

Englefield Reserve Free Trees Project Planting

Join the Pūharakekenui Styx Living Laboratory Trust field team to plant in Englefield Reserve.

  • 10.30am to 1.30pm, Saturday 20 July.
  • Post-planting BBQ provided.
  • Meet in Englefield Reserve on Englefield Road, Northwood.

Dress for the weather with lots of layers and make sure to wear close-toed shoes or boots.

Tools and gloves are provided but feel free to bring your own if you prefer.

Contact courtney@thestyx.nz for more information.

Regular working bees

Laura Kent Reserve

The Laura Kent Reserve Workgroup meet on the first Saturday of every month for a couple of hours.  

We remove blackberry, poplar seedlings and other unwanted species and are planting native plants historically found in the area. 

Please come and join us here with spades, gloves and a sense of humour:

  • Monthly on the first Saturday of the month between 9am and 11am.
  • Between Radley Street and Riley Cresent, beside the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River.

Head to the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River Network for more information or register your interest by emailing dugaldwil@gmail.com.

Thistledown Reserve

Join Park Rangers, Ihutai Trust and passionate volunteers at the Thistledown Reserve working bee:

  • Monthly on Saturday mornings between 10am and midday.
  • End of Thistledown Place, Woolston.

Tasks include planting, pruning, weeding and mulching. Wear gumboots or old sneakers as there are wet and muddy areas on site.

Farnley Reserve 

Tasks include weeding, mulching and planting. 

  • Every third Sunday of the month, 9am to 10.30am.
  • Eastern Terrace, Beckenham.

Wear sturdy footwear and bring your own morning tea gloves, wheelbarrow and gardening tools.

For more information, friendsoffarnley@gmail.com

Papanui Bush 

  • Every second Tuesday of the month, 8.30am to 12.30pm.
  • Bridgestone Reserve, 46 Langdons Road, Papanui.

Tasks include weed releasing, planting and general tidying up.

Contact Denis McMurtrie on 021 125 1920 for more information.

Drayton Reserve

Drayton Reserve also holds regular working bees, check the Drayton Reserve Volunteers(external link) website or sign up for the newsletter to receive details of upcoming planting days.

What to expect

During autumn, winter and spring, volunteer work is often focused around planting, weeding and mulching. In summer, work is mainly weeding, watering and litter removal.

Bring sturdy footwear, a bottle of water, snacks and warm clothes. Some gloves and spades are provided but bring your own if you can.