A project for the Friends of the Dunedin Botanic Garden 30th anniversary celebrations, the duck pond pier will be officially opened on Sunday at 3.30pm by Deputy Mayor Chris Staynes.
This will be followed by the launch of a booklet, A Walk in the Dunedin Botanic Garden, by Gillian Vine.
Friends of the Dunedin Botanic Garden volunteer Louise Kilby said the duck pond pier and its associated paths and landscaping would help to connect the Lister Garden to the duck pond area.
‘‘It will be fantastic to welcome everyone on Sunday to share in the launch, and to recognise the tremendous work of the volunteers and staff at the garden,’’ Mrs Kilby said.
The pier project was led by the Friends, with support from Dunedin Botanic Garden staff and the Dunedin City Council and additional funding from the Dunedin Casino Charitable Trust. A cost estimate was not available yesterday.
Friends president Adele Poulter said the installation of the duck pond pier and the launch of the booklet marked the culmination of a very successful year for the group.
‘‘It is a great way to celebrate the long association between the Friends and the botanic garden,’’ she said.
The booklet, A Walk in the Dunedin Botanic Garden, aims to provide a colourful overview of the garden as it is today, while touching on its history. It can also be used as a guided walk.
Mrs Vine said the booklet was designed both for local people who wanted a simple guide to the garden, and as a souvenir for overseas visitors.
‘‘The idea was floated about a year ago and I spent several months researching the garden and its history. It was fascinating,’’ Mrs Vine said.
‘‘When I came to write the booklet, the hardest part was deciding what to leave out.’’
Filled with colourful photographs, the booklet would be sold through the garden information centre as a fundraiser for the Friends of the Dunedin Botanic Garden.
