Monday, 14 November 2011

New Cemetery Pit Reserve to open
Sunday, December 4, 11am, Cemetery Pit

Grab your picnic baskets and get ready for the opening of a new park for Selwyn District residents in early December at Cemetery Pit between Leeston and Southbridge!

The Selwyn District Council has been working on restoration of the area adjacent to a working quarry over the past year.

SDC Strategic Asset Manager Anne Greenup says the Council has started replanting the area in native flora, set up a picnic area with toilets and created a couple of small tracks.

“The idea is that this is a rural park – it’s not manicured, it’s a chance for people to get out and get a breath of fresh air, with great views of the mountains and a few short walks,” Ms Greenup says.

The area has always been known as Cemetery Pit, and so it made sense for that to become the name of the reserve, she says.

The gravel pit has been capped and grassed, further native plants will be added to the reserve and a walking/cycling track created through native trees to be planted on the reserve when the budget allows.

Selwyn Mayor Kelvin Coe and Cr Nigel Barnett will officially open the reserve, at 11am on Sunday, December 4. Look for the sign on the Leeston-Southbridge Road in the area of the Catholic Cemetery.

“We’d love people to bring their picnics to help us celebrate the opening. They’ll need to bring their own drinking water – the water on site is not drinkable. And plan to take their rubbish out with them when they leave,” Ms Greenup says.

The Southbridge Advisory Committee is keen to hear from members of the local community who would like to help organize activities to support the opening event, committee secretary Lieuwe Doubleday says. People can contact him on 03 324 2992 to volunteer.

ENDS

© Scoop Media