Hundreds of plants stolen from riverside parks

Hundreds of plants have been stolen from two of Hamilton’s public parks.

Hamilton City Council’s Parks and Gardens Manager Sally Sheedy said more than 600 bedding plants, mainly begonias and marigolds, had been taken from gardens in Memorial Park and Parana Park. The two parks are on the eastern side of the Waikato River.

Miss Sheedy says the thefts had occurred over the past two weeks, and staff who maintain the gardens believed the plants had been targeted.

“Vandalism to our gardens usually sees trampled plants – but the removal of these species looks deliberate and quite specific,” Miss Sheedy says.

Parks and Gardens staff will now have to replicate work they have already done at the two parks.

“This is very disheartening for staff, particularly since Council gets a lot of positive feedback from Hamilton residents and visitors about the appearance of gardens,” Miss Sheedy says. “It’s also a cost to ratepayers.”

Mayor Julie Hardaker says gardens are important to Hamilton and a strong part of the city’s identity.

“It’s very disappointing this has happened. The city’s gardens are looking particularly beautiful at the moment, and council staff put in a great deal of thought and care into making something everyone can enjoy,” Mayor Hardaker says. “I would encourage the plant snatcher please bring them back.”

The plant thefts have been reported to police, and continue a recent trend which has seen an increasing number of plants stolen from public gardens and parks.

Members of the public who see plants being removed from public gardens are asked to contact police.