- Hundreds of daffodil bulbs planted in Queens Park create a new remembrance space.
- Community effort includes contributions from Loss and Grief Centre and local businesses.
- Daffodils symbolise hope and renewal, expected to bloom with the arrival of spring.
Queens Park in Invercargill will soon be brighter, thanks to a new partnership with the Invercargill Loss and Grief Centre. The collaboration has resulted in the planting of over 850 daffodil bulbs in a newly named area, Memory Lane. The bulbs were donated by the Loss and Grief Centre, Diacks Nurseries, Mitre 10 Mega, and local residents.
Memory Lane aims to offer the community an outdoor space for remembrance. Caroline Loo, Director of the Invercargill Loss and Grief Centre, said, “We really wanted to create a beautiful outdoor space that the entire community could benefit from by lifting their spirits. Everybody loves daffodils, they’re a sign of hope and when spring comes, we all breathe a sigh of relief that winter is over. The ground and the whenua show us that the seasons are changing, it lifts our mood and it really does feel like we step out of the darkness and into the light.”
Located opposite the duck pond, Memory Lane is in the same area where a century-old tree fell last year during high winds. The partnership between the Invercargill City Council and the Loss and Grief Centre represents a significant community initiative. Leigh McAulay, Queens Park Team Leader, said, “People come to Queens Park for many reasons and some of those include taking time out to remember those that we have lost. We’re hopeful that the hundreds of daffodils will bring a smile to people’s faces, add a little bit of cheer into their day and help with their healing.”
The bulbs are expected to bloom within six to eight weeks, marking the arrival of spring. Permanent signage will be installed in the area, and later this year, the public will be invited to sponsor a bulb for next year’s planting in memory of loved ones.