Making a splash | Auckland News | Local News in Auckland

Lucas Creek leads to a little-known gem: Mikayla's fave waterfall. Its beauty is marred but, as Sophie Bond discovers, hope springs in times of weed.

Traffic zips across Albany Bridge while below, coffee-coloured Lucas Creek weaves past banks of overhanging trees, tangled weeds and a rusting shopping trolley.

Ponytail bouncing, Mikayla Bourne skips along the path, leading us up the creek towards the noisy churn of a waterfall. The wide curtain of water falls into a deep pool where a set of old stone steps leads to a blackberry-strewn bank.

Ten-year-old Mikayla and her mother, Cathy Bourne, went looking for this waterfall last month after seeing photos in a history book. Finding the creek filled with rubbish, its banks eroded and weed-covered, and the track in bad shape, the pair have set about transforming it.

Mikayla is sad it's become overgrown and forgotten. "When I first saw it I thought maybe we could clean it up and make it a place for everyone to enjoy."

She points further up the track to where the bush clears into open space: "We want to plant trees so that people can come and picnic and have some shade."

Mikayla's dream may well come true. Mrs Bourne is joining North Shore City Council in organising a weekend working bee at the creek. The pattern-maker and fashion designer is as passionate as her daughter about turning the Lucas Creek waterfall into an attractive destination.

"I've lived here for 14 years and didn't know the waterfall existed. We need to get rid of the ginger, gorse, blackberry and replant the banks to stop the erosion and keep the silt out of the creek," she says.

Recently, Mrs Bourne attended a workshop  on stream ecology and the kind of plants needed. She's aware the working bee will be the beginning of a lengthy project.

Council parks officer Nicki Malone has worked with Mrs Bourne for several years on weed control in the Lucas Creek reserve. "Cathy is so passionate and has so much energy. Her idea to clean up the creek is fantastic and it's awesome to be able to help her."

The council will provide skips and mulch for the working-bee and put on a barbecue for volunteers while a Wai Care educator will tell children about the creek's insect life.

Shore Community Church members will also join the working bee,  providing $1200  of plants.

Peering through the bush,  Mikayla spots a tyre in the creek that will need hauling out. Her mother beams. "We can see how amazing it's going to be when it's done."

Up the creek

Lucas Creek clean-up, September 25-26, 9am-4.30pm. Meet at Kell Park for task allocation. Information: Nicki Malone, North Shore City Action Line, ph 486 8600.