Nelson's edible walks reaping rewards
10/05/2018 11:57am / Issue 42
Stoke resident Brian Radford has been enjoying access to the fruit trees along the Orchard Stream Esplanade, one of Nelson's edible walks.
The 82-year-old has been using the fruit to make fig and apple jam, which he has been enjoying on his toast with lashings of butter.
"You make the jam in a day, just boil it up, cut the figs up, mix it with the apples and it is quite nice too," says Brian.
Council started planting fruit trees around the city's parks and reserves 25 years ago, with more recent plantings in Stoke along Orphanage Stream, Orchard Stream, Main Road Stoke and the Railway Reserve in the last decade.
There are 40 parks with fruit trees in them, with the largest planting in the Ranui Reserve following the 2008 storm event.
According to Brian, the walkway near his home has improved the use of the riverbank and of course, access to the fig tree.
"There are other trees too, so it is really quite handy with the stuff around here, I think the Council has made all the right moves planting the trees," Brian says.
The range of fruit and nut trees in Nelson includes apples, feijoas, figs, hazelnuts, olives, pears, persimmons and strawberries, with maps for some edible walks available on the Council's website.
The maps will guide you on a series of walks to fruit trees you are welcome to pick from as open orchards, as well as giving you some great insights into heritage attractions around the city.
Remember the food is there to share, so just take ripe fruit please.
