Tourists Hannes Ritter and Felix Walle, of Germany, said it was hard to find their Frisbee in the long grass at Lismore Park. Photo/Kerrie Waterworth
Tourists Hannes Ritter and Felix Walle, of Germany, said it was hard to find their Frisbee in the long grass at Lismore Park. Photo/Kerrie Waterworth
Some Wanaka residents are not happy about their local park being trialled as a meadow.
Queenstown Lakes District Council parks and reserves planning manager Steve Quin said the council had received complaints about its decision not to mow the grass except around the tracks and paths in Lismore Park.
Thecouncil stopped mowing the grass at Lismore Park in November 2015 as part of a trial to find the "right balanced management approach for the park that would realise both the environmental and recreational benefits that the community expect", he said.
Not mowing resulted in better soil health and fertility, better plant pollination, a better environment for insects, a reduction in noxious weeds such as broom, a reduced rabbit population and decreased storm runoff.
The council was trialling not mowing the grass at various parks throughout the district but had only received complaints about Lismore Park, "mostly about the look and usability of it", Mr Quin said.
The council was now seeking feedback on the combined draft reserve management plan for Lismore Park, Kellys Flat and Allenby Park as well as new additions Domini Park, Faulks Tce reserve and Kennedy Cres reserve.
Any feedback would be considered in the review process, Mr Quin said.
