Green areas in the Queenstown Lakes District are receiving a special treatment to improve the condition of playing fields and public turf areas this summer, QLDC parks manager Gordon Bailey said.

"We are using a contractor to carry out a process known as 'verti-drain', which involves aerating the grass to encourage better, healthier growth," Mr Bailey said.

The contractor had been working at Queenstown and Wanaka this week on areas including the Queenstown Gardens the Recreation Ground, the Village Green, Earnslaw Park and Pembroke Park.

"The process involves breaking up the compaction of these turf areas, which in turn gives better drainage and better growth. The results are really worthwhile with a lot less bald or patchy areas and healthier and hardier spring growth," Mr Bailey said.

There would be an element of inconvenience in the interim.

"At the moment some areas will appear to be muddy but the community will reap the benefits in the spring when the green areas will look great," Mr Bailey said.

The process would need to undertake on an ongoing basis to keep turf areas in good condition into the future.

ENDS

For further information please contact Gordon Bailey 03 441 0499

By: Tamah