Jason Allan got two surprise calls from the police this week.

Face painting, volleyball, balloon animals and a sausage sizzle were all on the agenda as the reopening of a beloved Dunedin park was celebrated.

A self-proclaimed "bit of a gardener" managed to swoop first place in her category, and second overall, in a lily show after growing a massive flower that towered over the competition.

A Dunedin councillor argued the city council’s chief executive witnessed an incident that demanded her intervention — but she may not have even been there.