The Waimea Street Reserve was chosen as the site for a commemoration of 150 years since the first Plymouth Company ship arrived in New Plymouth. On 5 June 1991 the then mayor, David Lean, unveiled the Founders Plantation Plaque.
Another part of the 1991 commemoration was the planting of 1,991 native trees. Much of the tree planting was carried out in the Salaman-Simpson Reserve on the other side of the Waimea Stream. Individuals, families, clubs and businesses were able to sponsor a tree at a cost of $40 each. Two large cylindrical-shaped installations near the plaque record the names of those who donated trees to the project. There is also a small plaque behind the two cylinders which records more names.
Related documents:
Working bees to plant 1991 trees (Daily News 22 February 1991)
Tree plaque arrives in New Plymouth (North Taranaki Weekender 26 May 1991)
Plaque unveiled (Daily News 6 June 1991)
Tree planting (New Plymouth, 1841-1991 : the people and events which formed a city)
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