Date: March 16th, 2012

Roy’s Hill restoration project set to be unveiled

A major land restoration project will be formally opened to the public this month.

Roy’s Hill Reserve has been beautified and transformed into a magnificent public greenspace in a joint initiative between Hastings District Council and the Hastings Landmarks Trust. Twelve local businesses and the Landcare Foundation have become sponsors of the project which has seen over 6000 native trees planted on the former landfill site, since work began in 2009.

Landmarks Trust member and Hastings Deputy Mayor Cynthia Bowers says “Support from these local businesses and a grant from the Landcare Foundation has assisted with additional planting and irrigation, the construction of a carpark and the installation of picnic tables and information boards.

“The planting and restoration of Roy’s Hill Reserve has created a welcome addition to the public open spaces which abound around Hastings District. A number of community organisations have already enquired about using the 10.97 hectare site for their activities.”

Cynthia Bowers says “Plans for the future involve further planting, the construction of a cycle track around the perimeter and the installation of a viewing platform on the top of the hill. This community restoration project has created a wonderful park where the family can take a stroll, enjoy a picnic or just sit and relax while enjoying the breathtaking views across the vineyards.”

The Roy’s Hill Reserve is expected to become a very popular stop off point for cyclists on the Wineries Trail which takes riders around the Gimblett Gravels.

A Family Picnic Fun Day will be held at Roy’s Hill Reserve on Sunday March 25th from 11am till 2pm to mark the official opening. There will be a free sausage sizzle, bouncy castle, face painting and train rides for the kids, while adults will be able to enjoy the great views across the vineyards and an aerial display from the Hawke’s Bay Radio Flyers.

The public is invited to the official opening of Roy’s Hill Reserve on State Highway 50 by Hastings Deputy Mayor Cynthia Bowers, at 11am on Sunday March 25th, 2012.

Further information:

• Roy’s Hill was a gravel quarry before being established as a landfill in 1954
• The landfill was closed in December 1988 when the new facility at Omarunui was opened
• The reshaping of the cap on the hill was completed in 2006
• Planting of native trees began in 2009
• The cap on the hill was grassed in 2010
• The site was the venue for the Hawke’s Bay Wine and Food festival in 2010 and 2011

Sponsors:

Gold: CJ Pask, Fulton Hogan, KartSport Hawke’s Bay, Anonymous private sponsor

Silver: McCain, Pro Arbore, Farmlands, thinkwater, Triangle Cellars, Landcare Foundation NZ

Bronze: Bannister & von Dadelszen, Surveying the Bay, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council

ENDS

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