Less mowing has long grass flowing

Published on 22 July 2024

An initiative from Council's parks team to mow Linklater Reserve less often has seen people and dogs alike revelling in the resulting carpet of long luxurious grass. 

Four years ago, the team looking after the park began mowing just the edges of the paths every two weeks, while leaving the rest untouched. This means the majority of the area is available for growing hay, which gets cut and sold off twice a year.

Only mowing the park twice a year means we generate fewer emissions from our heavy duty diesel-powered mowers, which are used to keep down grass in big areas. Plus, some of the of money generated then feeds back into the care and maintenance of park facilities.

Feedback from public has been positive, with many park users saying their dogs love to run and play around in the long grass. The space is also a healthy environment for bees and other insects to enjoy in an area largely dominated by industrial development and housing.

The success of the initiative at Linklater Reserve means our parks team will be taking a look at other reserves where the same kind of approach could be adopted in the future. They’ll also soon be planting areas around the river with wildflowers, to encourage biodiversity in the form of  bees and other beneficial insects. These areas too will require less mowing and add to the enjoyment of Palmy’s walkers and cyclists by looking and smelling super pretty, brightening up the green spaces with their colourful displays. 

This story was originally published in our Environmental Sustainability Review 2024. The report showcases what the council and other local businesses are doing to reduce Palmy's carbon footprint and be more sustainable. 

Read the full report