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

Pūharakekenui Styx Living Laboratory Planting Days 

Join one of our planting days along the Pūharakekenui Styx River and in surrounding reserves. 

  • 9am to midday, Saturday 24 May, 677 Marshland Road, more parking available at the end of Macdonalds Road. 
  • 9am to 2pm, Saturday 14 June, Bike for victory at this 'cycle to site' planting day at 9R Fords Road, Belfast. Come for the whole day or pop in to plant a tree while you're cycling past. Contact George@styx.nz for more information.
  • 10am to midday, Sunday 29 June, Join Trees for Canterbury and Treetech for a planting day at 8R Blakes Road.
  • 9am to midday, Saturday 12 July, Sheldon Park planting day for Free Trees Giveaway Project. 
  • 9am to midday, Saturday 9 August, Cunliffe Place planting day. 
  • 9am to midday, Saturday 23 August, Redwood Springs planting day. Plenty of parking is available along Willowview Drive.  
  • 9am to midday, Saturday 13 September, Belfast Cemetery planting day. 
  • 5pm to 7pm, Saturday 31 October, Halloween planting at Belfast Cemetery.

Unless otherwise indicated, contact styxllbom@gmail.com(external link) for more information. 

Dates and locations are subject to change or cancellation, so keep an eye out for updates on the Styx Trust Facebook page.(external link)

Papanui Bush Community Planting Day 2025

Nau mai haere mai ki Papanui Bush.

Join us at Bridgestone Reserve(external link), 40R Landons Road, Papanui, for a community planting day as part of the Papanui Bush restoration project. 

9am to midday, Saturday 7 June.

This is a great opportunity to get out in the fresh winter air, give back to te taiao-the natural environment and connect with your local community. 

We'll provide the tools, all you need to bring is:

  • weather appropriate clothing
  • sturdy, close-toe shoes 
  • and a water bottle.

Meet at the picnic table under the oak tree next to the BrainTree car park at 9am and we'll kick off from there.

Please register your attendance so we know how many to expect.(external link)

Any pātai-questions, please contact the event host communityparks@ccc.govt.nz.

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 southwest 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 is a must, and we recommend bringing 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 closed-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.

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 Crescent, 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.

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.