Letters: Long grass in reserves is the way it's meant to be

Regarding long grass in some of our reserves; it might come as a surprise to some but this is what grass should look like. There's nothing nicer than walking through long grass, watching the wind move it around and create lots of seed for birds. Long grass is natural. Save money and let it grow.
CHRISSTAYLOR
Rotorua

I must totally agree with your correspondent John McRae regarding the state of our reserves and would like to add roadways to the list and agree in the past they have been assets we were truly proud of.

Today we took a trip out to Lake Okataina and in all the years I have lived here, I have never the roadside so overgrown.

There are weeds and long grass protruding on to what is a very narrow roadway and it looks like it hasn't seen a mower in months. This would have to be a safety issue if nothing else.

One would also hope that someone is sent along to the Hemo Gorge. The council planted many young seedlings and small trees in a cut over area at the southern end. Go and look at the gorse, blackberry and broom which is proliferating in the area, very soon they will be overpowering the young plants. What on earth is the point of spending time and resources on doing a planting only to then neglect it by not maintaining it?

One would wonder if sculptures on roundabouts and art work around the town are more of a priority than basic road and reserve maintenance.

Time for an explanation.

BETTY SHEPHERD
Lynmore