We were inundated with projects happening around the city – here’s the (still-growing) list:
– Angel Gardeners have been going crazy all around town! They refreshed the giant planters at the Bridge St Bus Depot, as well as along upper Bridge St. They completely transformed the gardens outside Nelson Library along Halifax St by spreading out the clivias. Then across the road, outside the old petrol station, they gave that garden a bit of tending (after it was planted in Spring Clean 2024 – it’s looking mighty pretty!). They also tidied up the planters pots in Montgomery Arcade. PLUS, special thanks to the Angel Gardeners who donated donated propagated seedlings and cuttings, as well as to some lovely people who donated funds for required plants.
– Russell from Graffiti Blasters cleaned away graffiti on buildings around the city. Big thanks to Thompson’s Property Group, Hunter Home, Wakatū Incorporated, Summit Realty, Bayleys Properties and GoodFor for employing Russel’s services to make their properties look better for everyone.
– Bank Lane got a complete clean from an army of enthusiastic cleaners! There was vacuuming, scrubbing, spray-and-wiping, removing of sellotape and stickers, and general makeover brilliance! We even gave the public seat a sanding down and fresh repaint. Many thanks to our volunteers Helene and Tanya, to Arthouse Architects for bringing their staff along, and to Justin Wallington from A-Temp Recruitment for the hi-vis vests and gloves. Even Mayor Nick Smith came along!
– Thompson Property Group cleaned and repainted Montgomery Arcade (between Hardy St & Montgomery Square, beside Yaza! Cafe.
– Yaza Cafe have been doing a massive paint job inside their cafe – best cheese scones ever – and will be spreading their love into Montgomery Arcade as well.
– ArtWalk got an ArtWash – thanks to staff and volunteers from the Suter Art Gallery Te Aratoi o Whakatū and Speedy Signs Nelson.
– New Street is definitely looking new-er with a group of property managers cleaning up the green strips along the street; the Waka New St Steakhouse tidied up their garden; Zindels Barristers & Solicitors tidied their frontage; property owner Tony Vining got the old planter boxes removed from the carpark alongside Liquorland and new palms planted, as well as installing new parking safety bars – massive thanks to Sublime Bridge St Roastery & Brew Bar for helping with the planting; and our Angel Gardeners are planning to refresh the garden bed outside Anchor Print. Whew – such a big difference!
– Shine Design Store gave their frontage a clean – it was Jo at Shine who set this all in motion – Spring Clean was her idea!
– Trouble and Fox in Bank Lane were up bright and early making their shopfront nice and shiny.
– Lambretta’s Cafe Bar replaced their awning and gave the windows a extra thorough clean.
– Theatre Royal Nelson gave their frontage a clean, and finished tidying up the area beside the theatre – check out how good it looks with Karolina Serrano’s ArtWork.
– Idea Services had one of their teams collecting rubbish from the Cathedral Gardens on Piki Mai. Champions!
– There’s been a long-term project along Selwyn Place with the gardens being replanted, Thompson Property Group painting the facade, two ArtWorks and three ArtDoors and more – more info here.
– Further along Selwyn Place at the English Language Centre RMM Landscape Architects got down and dirty and completely transformed the gardens beds. The cleared out all the dead foliage and rubbish, topped up the beds with compost, and then planted a selection of hardy plants including natives and succulents that will thrive in that spot. Finally, they replaced the pebbles, swept up, and gave the brickwork around the beds a quick clean. Big thanks to Vibrant Earth Plants for helping out with the plants.
– Project 100 have completely transformed their front courtyard with seating, a garden and a bike rack.
– Two Dollar Things Store cleaned their frontage and painted out some tagging.
– Red Art Gallery Design Store & Cafe refreshed their planter boxes with perennials.
– CLM staff cleaned up Rutherford Park and along the Maitai River.
– More CLM staff had a working bee at Isel Gardens, joined by staff from Green By Nature. Just to slip in a mention here of one of the biggest city transformations that happens every year – the hanging baskets! This year Green By Nature are managing the project, with more than 50 volunteers prepping more than 700 baskets! They’ll finish this phase at the end of October, and then all the baskets get some intense nurturing before installation happens at the end of November.
– Whakatū Kids Co-op in Selwyn Place built and painted some planter boxes for around their frontage – there’s also some giant flowers in the walkway between Selwyn Place and Crisps Lane.
– The Hospice Shop in Vanguard St tided their garden out the front.
– Yaza! Cafe have done a massive makeover to their interior, and are working with Make/Shift and Thompson Property Group to keep improving the Montgomery Arcade. (Best cheese scones in Nelson!)
– Nelson Provincial Museum cleaned the footpaths and re-stained the seating outside the museum.
– Staff from SBS Bank Nelson gave their frontage a super wash and clean.
– Taverndale + Partners in Nile St repainted their fence and revamped their garden.
– The Suter Art Gallery are creating a garden around the artwork alongside the entrance – big thanks to Meadow Landscape Architecture.
– Peta Spooner Dance & Community Art Works tidied and replanted their gardens, and painted the fence so that they could hang some outdoor artworks.
– Victus Coffee & Eatery gave Kirby Lane a clean, helped out by Bridge Street Collective and Kirby Lane Foodtrucks – remember that Bridge St is open for business throughout all the roadworks.
– Jens Hansen Jewellers cleaned their frontage.
– Staff at SBS Bank Nelson cleaned their frontage on Trafalgar St.
– Fabric Lane Interior Design will give their frontage a good spruce up.
– Residents at MaltHouse Apartments cleaned and tidied the front of their building.
– Southtec NZ cleaned their frontage on Hardy St.
– Our Angel Gardeners (who seem to travel with ready-to-plan snippings) now have a semi-regular session at Nikau Hauora Hub, helping replant their courtyard garden and getting it back on track. They’ll then work with the folk at Nikau on maintaining the garden. Nice!
What’s still to come:
– Arts Council Nelson & Refinery ArtSpace painted the poles outside their building – next they’ll sew on little legwarmers to make it look really special!
– YMCA’s Nelson Training Centre on Vanguard St will be sprucing up their outside area. Go along and check it out on Thursdays when they serve up tasty and cheap lunches. Follow them on Facebook. Yummy!
– Evo Cycles in Vanguard St will be doing a clean-up along their frontage.
– Stand-by for a really exciting project by Rockquest Promotions, Boffa Miskell and Summit Real Estate to transform their shared laneway beside the Theatre Royal – can’t wait for that one!
– Deville Cafe & Bar will replace their notice board and make it prettier!
MASSIVE shoutout to everyone who donated plants:
– Crafted Earth Boutique Nursery
– Meadow Landscape Architecture
– Nelson City Council
– New Vision Landscapes Nelson
– Titoki Nursery
– Vibrant Earth Plants
