Shirley Sparks, an 85-year-old resident of Te Puna in Bay of Plenty, has been nominated for the environment category in the 2015 Pride of New Zealand Awards, according to The New Zealand Herald. Specifically, it was reported that the nomination was in recognition of Sparks’ work in redeveloping the Te Puna Quarry, a site that was operational in the early 1900s.
{{image2-a:r-w:200}}The quarry produced about 575,000 tonnes of rhyolite rock, which was said to have been used for roadworks, reclamation and breakwaters. However, due to flagging demand for the poor quality material, operations ceased in 1979.
A proposal to re-open the quarry in 1992 was quickly quashed by community opposition, and the site gradually became overgrown with weeds and other vegetation, leading Sparks – whose property was said to border the quarry’s – to take action.
In 1993, the Te Puna Quarry Park Society was formed, and after three years of planning and negotiation, the group of community volunteers began rehabilitating the site with a vision to turn it into a park that would benefit the local region.
“Of course nobody believed us,” Sparks told The New Zealand Herald. “Nobody thought volunteers could turn 82 acres [33ha] into something worthwhile – but we did.”
The national newspaper quoted Sparks’ anonymous nominator as saying, “Under Shirley’s guidance a few people set to cleaning and clearing a huge area of quarry – a seemingly impossible task. But as small areas emerged from the rubble, more volunteers and garden enthusiasts began to take note and create their individual areas of expertise like roses, orchids or herbs, with the list continuing to grow. Today there is something to grab the attention of all visitors, young and old.”
The Te Puna Quarry Park features walking tracks, picnic areas, a natural amphitheatre, a butterfly house and specialty plant gardens. It is also home to a number of sculptures by local artists and is becoming popular as an exhibition area for outdoor art and for weddings. These modern elements are showcased alongside old extractive structures and abandoned equipment that now serve as historical features and a tribute to the park’s quarrying roots.
Regional ceremonies for the Pride of New Zealand Awards program, which is now in its second year, will be held in August, and a national award ceremony is scheduled for September.
Old quarry features
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