Creating a community park

jezza · #1 (**permalink**) 09-11-2007, 02:03 PM

I wonder if anyone has any ideas on how to get a community park up and running. We live in a great street, which is quite private because it can only be accessed through another street and has cul-de-sacs at each end. Next door to us we have a park, which used to be just vacant land, but the council has now put some effort into building a small playground, a gazebo with a table and benches, and they've planted a few natives. However, there's still tons of space, and I think so much could be done to make it a really fantastic space. Maybe people could grow vegies. We could create some pathways, put in more native plants, definitely add some more trees. I am so not a gardener - I have just begun to get interested in this area, but have absolutely no expertise to contribute.

Does anyone have any thoughts about how to start at least seeing if there are enough people around to make this work? Do you think that the local council is likely to assist in any way?

Thank in anticipation.

J

bunty · #2 (**permalink**) 09-11-2007, 04:52 PM

I think building a proposal would be your first step. Scout the neighbourhood and see what people want for the area. Put some ideas on paper and perhaps get some quotes for what needs to be done. Approach the council and see if they are willing to assist. Even if they are not, you will need to get permission to do anything anyway. You will also need a strong commitment from people willing to help. Sometimes people are full of enthusiasm for such projects but when it comes to putting in the effort, they are noticeably absent

. What an exciting idea though

.

**Nyree** · #3 (**permalink**) 09-11-2007, 05:42 PM

Sounds great! I agree - chat to the council. Doorknock to see if others are interested - maybe even get signatures to take to council?

alzarex · #4 (**permalink**) 10-11-2007, 12:50 AM

check with the council
i know that some of the Sydney councils have/had a scheme where the local residents could take over looking after a nature space and I think the councils then paid for more plants and stuff... certainly Randwick council in Sydney used to have a scheme..
http://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/default.php?id=199 should take you there

jezza · #5 (**permalink**) 10-11-2007, 12:49 PM

Thanks everyone.

Ren, that link is definitely helpful. I think I'll talk to a few neighbours and see if I can find a few people who want to work on looking further into this idea. I'll also spend some time looking around our local council website to see if they have anything similar to Randwick already set up.

Cheers,
J