Percy Scenic Reserve
Percy Scenic Reserve is a botanic garden and bush reserve located in Maungaraki in Lower Hutt, New Zealand.
Overview
Percy Scenic Reserve is a public botanic garden with an ex-situ native plant collection dedicated to New Zealand native plants from coastal areas, alpine habitats, wetlands and offshore islands. The reserve comprises of parks, ponds, and forest. It also connects onto adjacent Frank Cameron Park.Percy Scenic Reserve is owned by the Department of Conservation and managed by the Hutt City Council.
Location and access
The gardens are located at 5 Dowse Drive, Maungaraki. There is parking at the Dowse Drive entrance for cars, campervans and coaches. It is a short walk north of the Petone train station. Part of the reserve also falls within the boundaries of the suburb of Korokoro.There is a path suitable for wheelchairs from Dowse drive to the main lawns and duck pond.
The park open daily between sunrise and sunset, and entry is free.
History
Joseph Hewlett Percy arrived in Petone with his family in 1841 and soon after began construction of their home and mills in the area.Visitor attractions
Waterfall
The waterfall on the Percy Stream that flows into the Duck Pond and was used to drive the Percy Family Flour Mill.Duck Pond
The original pond created to drive the Percy family flour mill.Waterwheel
Memorial Waterwheel of the Percy Family Flour Mill.Lookout and "Ratanui"
The Empty Site of Sir James Hector's Home.Bush walks and tracks
There are walks and trails within the forest and gardens to suit a range of ages and abilities. Good walking footwear and is recommended for the Waterfall track.Dowse Track – 3 minutes, Jasmine Track – 10 minutes, Puriri Track – 8 minutes, Rātā Track – 9 minutes, Rīmu Track – 6 minutes, Stanhope Track – 9 minutes, Tawa Track - 6 minutes, Waterfall Track – 15 minutes,Forest reserve
The forest at Percy Scenic Reserve covers around of the catchment area of the Percy Stream, and includes some original podocarp broadleaf forest, large non-native trees, and regenerating forest and scrub.Fauna
Native birds seen at Percy Scenic Reserve include kererū, tūī, and New Zealand fantail. There are also yellowhammer and mallardsCave wētā and common skinks are also present.