From composting and pruning to growing fresh produce, more West Aucklanders are heading to Triangle Park Community Teaching Garden to learn practical environmental skills. ‘We provide a vibrant space in Massey where people come together to grow food, share knowledge and build community,’ says Garden Coordinator Janelle Blackmore.
The charitable trust offers free workshops on composting, pruning, soil health and many other practical gardening skills. Last year alone, the organisation delivered more than 140 community workshops, masterclasses, working bees and events.
The garden is also expanding its impact through an 830-square-metre extension into neighbouring parkland, where volunteers are creating a new food forest. The food forest will mimic a natural forest, with fruit trees, shrubs, herbs and other edible plants growing together. As it becomes established, it will provide a sustainable source of healthy food while supporting biodiversity and improving soil health.
Janelle says a recent planting day for support species has laid the foundations for the food forest to thrive. The next step, in early spring, will be planting fruit trees as the food forest becomes established.
Behind every workshop, volunteer day and school visit is the Garden Coordinator. As demand has increased, so too have volunteer numbers, enquiries from schools and community groups, and administration responsibilities. ‘Without dedicated coordination, the scale, safety and consistency of delivery would be compromised,’ says Janelle.
Triangle Park Community Teaching Garden received $15,000 from the 2026 Your West Support Fund towards the Garden Coordinator contract. Janelle says the funding will help more people learn how to grow food, care for the environment and connect with others in their community through practical, hands-on programmes.
‘Our garden provides a free, accessible space for whānau, rangatahi, seniors, migrant and refugee communities, and local schools to connect through food growing and environmental restoration,’ Janelle says.
Thanks to the Your West Support Fund, Triangle Park Community Teaching Garden can continue to flourish as a place where people, plants and community grow together.
Learn more about Triangle Park Community Teaching Garden and what’s growing next by following them on Facebook.
If you or your organisation could use support from The Trusts, find out how to apply at thetrusts.co.nz/our-funds.
