Field of Dreams

Situated in a valley basin between the undulating sheep grazed hills just south of the Te Awanga, what started as a restoration of an infomal cricket pitch on the family farm has evolved into a community project of many facets.

With the help of the Project’s landscape architects, who just happen to be local cricket fans, plans evolved. Unused for 20 years, the original cricket pitch has been lifted over 7 metres at one end
to almost level. The turf and cricket pitch have been revamped, and added to this has been the development of a network of riparian plantings and creation of a wetland. Plantings of over 10,000 trees and shrubs were undertaken along waterways, up through the adjacent valley and around the cricket pitch. As these grow, an eco-corridor link emerges for local bird life.

The landowners received help from many family members, locals from the small community, backing from businesses (both local and further afield), and endorsement from the Department of Conservation.

This community effort has not only re-awakened a family cricket pitch with a substantial environmental outlook, it has created an active focus for local community for both sport and recreational use.