innovative open space management

A renovation of the existing walkway through Jaggers Bush in Westmere (West Auckland) was completed by City Parks Services in August 2010. The Jaggers Bush reserve lies between Meola and Motions Roads in Western Springs. The walkway project had its challenges as the bush is quite steep in places and a walkable gradiant (of no more than 15 degrees) had to be maintained throughout, with steps in those places where a path would be too steep. This necessitated extensive earthworks before construction could start. A large number of privet were also removed to enable the path to be formed.

A new concrete path welcomes visitors and leads to the bush reserve, while the walkway within the bush area is compacted gravel to complete a natural look and feel to the path. The requirement was that no timber edging were to be used in constructing the walkway, again to keep to the natural look of the environment. The various steps blend into the bush, being framed in treated timber and filled with compacted gravel.

The walkway has increased the amenity of the Jaggers Bush area, with a variety of people now making use of the path, including dog walkers and nature enthusiasts. City Parks Services is continuing to maintain the walkway, and environs.

"The walkway has increased the amenity of the Jaggers Bush area..."

Benefits

• A walkway that is friendly to the environment and blends with its surroundings

• Improved accessibility to this local reserve and increased amenity

• Long lasting materials that blend with the bush, and will ensure that the bush is enjoyed for many years to come with minimal maintenance