Ark in the Park

Weed control carried out in the Ark in the Park area

1 July 2006 - 30 June 2008 

Weed sites are reported to our Volunteer Co-ordinator Karen Colgan who has led the weed work with some assistance from ARC rangers. Weed issues identified by the Ark project, which were unable to be tackled using volunteers, were dealt to by ARC staff or contractors.

Specific training for the use of Vigilant was carried out by ranger Su Sinclair in 2006-2007 but not recently and we are planning to repeat these courses. No further Growsafe training has been carried out since an initial course in June 2006.

·       Ginger Removal - two large patches of ginger have been targeted, one on the Falls Road ridge and the other on bait line “B5” off the golf course. Both have been extensively treated, first with “Vigilant” herbicide gel in 2006 and then with “Escort” spray in April/May 2007. In July 08 only sporadic small plants existed which were able to be dug up manually, or cut with stumps treated with “Vigilant”. Both areas will continue to be monitored.

July/Aug 2007 - Ginger around the golf course targeted.

·       Retired ARC Whatatiri paddocks - extensive control of woolly nightshade has been carried out in this area since July 2006 using “Vigilant” gel to treat cut stumps. Native plants coming through also have been “released”. An ARC contractor carefully sprayed the young gorse which was thriving, assisting the native regeneration. Larger woolly nightshade specimens in nearby bush were also targeted in Oct/Nov 2007. Gorse and woolly nightshade was removed at the entrance to bait line “Le” off the Whatitiri to allow access for baiting.

·       Temporary Aviary Site - in July/Aug 2007 nine bags worth of weeds and rubbish cleaned out from around the aviary site which is near the top entrance to the Auckland City Walk.

·       Golf Course - in Oct/Nov 2007 a concentrated effort was made on the whole of the golf course from the golf club house around the B Block margin targeting woolly nightshade, ginger and arum lilies. All plants were treated with “Vigilant”. A midweek volunteer group continues to keep an eye on the whole of the golf course margin.

·       Falls Road “Bus Stop” Mural - weeding and planting was initially carried out on the Falls Road corner around Derek March's mural in Feb/March 2008. The road margins were pre-sprayed with glyphosate and a team of volunteers weeded a sizeable area removing the dead kikuyu grass, blackberry, montbretia privet etc in preparation for planting. Planting was carried out in April/May/June 2008 including along the road margin up to the first property on Falls Road.

·       Falls Road - several visits in 2007 have resulted in the removal of banana passionfruit , ginger, wattle and honeysuckle from an area along Falls Rd between the Te Henga Road junction and the ARC park sign on the first corner. Follow up in early July 08 resulted in further removal of ginger and wattles.