St Johns Bush ... a jewel in our backyard

St Johns Bush is a remnant of coastal forest that was saved from developers and has since been restored and maintained in the heart of our community.  It really is a gem and a very relaxing place to visit. The club has had some considerable past involvement here, but not in recent times.
 
St Johns Bush directly below St Johns College can be reached for one of three entrances.The main entrance with sign boards is located in Worcester Road where there is usually parking available. Other entrances are available off Gowing Drive and St Johns Road both on bus routes.
 
The metaled pathways on easy grades are in good condition and can be easily covered in the time of less than two hours. There are many interesting features to be seen in this
regenerating bush originally planted by Bishop Selwyn, his wife Sarah, St John’s College staff and students almost 180 years ago.
 
Some of the flora and fauna (and occasional bug) is described by plaques such as the one shown here, donated by St Johns Rotary.  Significant and persistent effort was made by Toni Millar to enable these plaques to be placed in St Johns Bush and considerable research by her for the information contained on the plaques.  It is uncertain at this stage whether all the plaques are still in place and some have been damaged (including graffiti as shown here).
 
The club’s Science and Environment Committee is now aware of our past involvement in St Johns Bush (that has included bush clean-ups) and may look at some future activity.
 
In the meantime, talk a hike through this jewel.
 
We will no doubt hear more as John La Roche, on behalf of Orakei Local Board, is voluntarily composing a history of Pourewa Valley including the six reserves around the valley. These are NWO Pourewa Valley Development, Kepa Bush, Selwyn Bush, St Johns Bush, Tahapa Reserves and Orakei Basin.  Some of the above description comes from his initial draft document.