Springlands Green improvements warmly welcomed

Feeding ducks ranks highly among the simple pleasures of Marlborough life. For years and years, residents of Springlands Lifestyle Village enjoyed doing so on either side of Murphys Creek by Battys Road.

Time and erosion took a toll on the embankments. Council determined four years ago that the jetty jutting out from Springlands Green and adjacent stream banks required refortification. Fencing blocked off the jetty’s walkway from that point.

Friday afternoon, access officially opened. Mayor Nadine Taylor and one of the pocket park’s benefactors, Anne Saul, cut a ribbon to culminate a ceremony attended by dozens of residents, project supporters, Council staff and Councillors Deborah Dalliessi and Cyril Dawson.

Within moments, ducks appeared on the creek – fed by village manager Hayden Nailer.

“Our residents would come down here daily,” he recalled between tosses of feed.

“If we missed a day or the wind wasn’t quite right, the ducks would find their way to the front door of the village, and they’d be waiting at the ramp sliders, because they knew the routine.

“So, it’s very special.”

The mayor agrees. Looking on as Hayden continued spreading the joy, she expressed how the jetty “is such a beloved part not only of the reserve space but also the way people spend their day, to be able to look out and contemplate.”

‘Win-win for all’

The property where Springlands Green sits got purchased by the Saul family – Anne, Doug, Marie and Ray – then donated to Council for the park. The mayor acknowledged Doug, Anne’s late husband, in her dedication remarks.

At one point, Council pondered removing the jetty. Neighbours approached parks staff to suggest repairing it instead – and discussions yielded the consensus “to arrive at what has been achieved,” shared Helen Smale, who joined Russ Hutcheson, Gwyneth Lowe and Henny Vervaart in the advocacy.

What has been achieved? “Reinstatement of the repaired jetty, the bank stabilised, and a pathway on a gentler slope that is wheelchair accessible,” Helen detailed, “all under the R&M budget, no need for additional funds.”

She called it a testament to Council/community partnership and a “win-win for all”.

“I would certainly agree with that,” shared the mayor.

“My only regret is it had to wait until we had prioritised some of the other, more high risk, flood repairs. Beyond that, it’s a great example of the community reaching out and telling us what it was they needed, and Council responding.”