Wellpark Streamers
Hidden behind the houses in Grey Lynn/Westmere lies Wellpark Reserve, a vital urban ngahere nurtured by the Wellpark Streamers for two decades.
For 20 years locals enjoy this space, whether walking the dog, heading to the shops, or simply appreciating the birdsong around the Edgar’s Creek wetland, under the Maxwell Ave footbridge.
Twenty years ago, the stream was severely impacted by invasive willows, and the water quality was compromised. Through consistent weeding and planting bees, and partnerships with Watercare, we’ve transformed the area.
Current
Today, native species like kānuka, nikau, and kahikatea are well-established, creating a haven for native birds.
We continue to hold weeding bees to manage pest plants, and this winter (2025), we’re undertaking small species enrichment planting to further enhance biodiversity. We’re also establishing a trapline to control rats and possums, which threaten our native wildlife.
If you’re interested in contributing to the protection and maintenance of this valuable urban green space, we welcome your involvement!
Since we started Urban Ark formed who support community groups like ours with expertise and plants.
In April 2025, we are working with Urban Ark to learn about Predator Free 2025 and to set up a rat trapping line.
January 2023 - Auckland Anniversary Floods
Edgars Creek turned into a raging torrent. The stream blocked in many places.
The water was high enough in places for many houses to be severely damaged.
Some work has been done around the stream in Wellpark Reserve to prevent it blocking again.
The water was so high it was 3 metres above the bridge in Wellpark Reserve.
Lucky we are called Grey Lynn 2030 - This is a really big project when you look at the whole stream. The good news is that with a little work, Edgars Stream could be beautiful and an asset to our community.
Take a Walk along Edgars Stream
Did you know a stream runs through Grey Lynn? It's called Edgars Stream.
Take a walk and follow it through Grey Lynn. We located the stream first in Wilton Street, totally overgrown at the back of a private section. Apparently the stream begins in a spring behind a house in Castle Street. Much of it is piped and runs underground.
We found the stream again easily in Francis Street Reserve, the stream is not too bad here at the bottom of the park. During 2024/2025 large works have been done on Wellpark Rd for Watercare's Central Interceptor. We are not sure what this does to Edgar's Stream.
Across into Wellpark Reserve. The Wellpark Streamers many working bees and planting days have made this easily the most accessible and beautiful part of the stream.
On we walked, looking for our stream - we poked our noses over the fence at bottom of Warnock Street then walked down Livingstone Street, turned left down Kingsley Street and into Weber Street. At the end of Weber St there is a private drive which takes you down to the top of Fife Street. The locals use this as an access so just head down.
If you head down Fife Street you get to Grey Lynn Park, where you can access the stream again behind the sports pavilion. There are mangroves in the stream here, as well as a chair, tyre and a whole lot of rubbish. It is sort-of cared for with one side grassed. This part of the stream is big and boggy and would take a lot of work to improve. There are many houses that back on to the stream.
A friend who grew up in Faulder Avenue told us that Cox's Bay Park was all mangroves when she was a kid. This explains the mangroves that run into the car park near the kids playground in the park.
Environmental Restoration and Pest Control
Grey Lynn Floods: Jan 2023
Grey Lynn was severely affected by the January 2023 floods. This photo in Dryden St/Hakanoa/Cockburn St – just down from the West Lynn shops, made the news. This was before we all realised the water was unsafe to be in. Opoutukeha, the stream and wetland that would become Grey Lynn Park and the Cox’s…
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Grey Lynn 2030 News: August 2019
August 2010 In this issue Grey Lynn 2030 Monthly Community Meeting Grey Lynn Farmers Market Waste Away news Putting the Local into Local Government Wilton Street Community Garden Green Screen Local news Happening Locally We are all about a positive vision and practical action In the last month we’ve hosted a meeting to kick-off a…
Read MoreWellpark Reserve Tree Planting 2010
It now is two years since we last had a tree planting session at Wellpark Reserve. This is the reserve in between Larchwood, Maxwell Ave and Wellpark Ave. Auckland City Council have kindly provided more trees and now need some willing workers to plant them this Sunday. Please come along rain or shine – last…
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