146 Commercial St Takaka 7110 , Takaka, Tasman
The reserve stands as a dividing point between the residential sections and the rural land to the east and now provides an important open water habitat for wildlife.Swimming is not allowed in the Lake.Pest fish species have been eradicated from the Lake and the reintroduced native fish species are doing well. Around the Lake are plantings of raupo, willow, mahoe and ti tree. Kahikatea and Totara have also been planted in the area.
When Golden Bay residents Nick and Helen Hodgkinson bought a section at the southern end of the lake around 30 years ago, the area was a popular spot for illegal rubbish dumping, it wasn't fenced and neighbouring cattle were often seen grazing there, with the occasional unfortunate one getting stuck in the lakeside mud.Eventually Mr Hodgkinson, who at that time was co-ordinating the old Project Employment Programme (PEP) suggested the reserve as a project and in conjunction with the Golden Bay County Council, the clean up got underway.Rubbish was cleared from the land and the lake and the reserve was fenced. Many willows and scrubby trees were cleared, a walking track was made and bollards were put in. Seating areas were created and signs made. Mr Hodgkinson says he remembers the lake being very clear and he suspects it is fed by an underground spring. It's up to 40 feet deep in places and was a favourite swimming hole for children in years gone by.The land surrounding the Lake was originally farmland owned by Bracket Bickley and was designated as a reserve as the result of a subdivision in 1967. Councillor Pat Reilly and resident Brownie Page got together and suggested the name Lake Killarney, after the lake of the same name in Ireland.
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