A parks senior team leader has been recognised with council renaming a nursery after him

Ken Armitage has been working with Townsville City Council for almost half a century, now he’s being honoured for his service.

Ken Armitage and acting mayor Ann-Maree Greaney unveil the Ken Armitage Dry Tropics Nursery.

A long serving Townsville City Council employee has been recognised for his dedication, with the Dry Topics nursery being renamed after the Parks team member.

The nursery specialises in growing thousands of native plants for North Queensland and will continue business under its new name, the Ken Armitage Dry Tropics Nursery.

Ken Armitage spent close to half a century working with the council in the parks team, filling roles such as the onsite manager of Anderson Gardens.

Mr Armitage is employed as a senior team leader and said he “never expected” to be honoured this way.

“To see the new sign and have the crews come out to celebrate, it was just great to be there,” he said.

Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said Mr Armitage has “literally shaped” Townsville through his work with the parks and botanical gardens, including his role in reestablishing the Dry Tropics Nursery in 2022.

“Ken was pivotal in developing a business case to get the nursery back up and running, and by doing so we’re able to save money when it comes to providing essential resources for revegetation, landscaping, and community-driven greening projects,” she said.

“The nursery reflects Council’s shared commitment to sustainability, resilience and community, so being able to recognise a man that gives the trees grown in the nursery and gardens across the city a run for their money when it comes to wisdom, is very special.”

Around 70 people attended the naming ceremony at Wellington Street.

Originally published as A parks senior team leader has been recognised with council renaming a nursery after him