By Casey Neill
A Lilydale community park received a much-needed spruce-up over the weekend.
Friends of Olinda Creek members are working with Yarra Ranges Council and Melbourne Water to co-ordinate the renewal of a community park between Main and John streets.
They’re working to transform the space into a community garden.
The project kicked off with a planting day on Saturday 20 July.
Paul Dempsey from Friends of Olinda Creek said the aim was to plant more diverse indigenous plants to strengthen the wildlife corridor and beautify the creek side.
“This central park is a start with beautiful windows into the creek, and an opening for community potential,” Mr Dempsey said.
The project will add more berries and fruit trees – including bush tucker – on the levee bank side, to edge toward food security and nourishing community spirit.
Melbourne Water sponsored the planting day, supplying 400 diverse natives, and the council had been supplying woodchips to help prepare the ground.
Mr Dempsey said Bunnings also contributed some interesting plants.
The group will now have weekly working bees, from 2pm to 4pm on Saturdays and on Fridays from 10am for student teams.
He said Lions Club volunteers had pledged to help once spring arrived.
“Bring a favourite indigenous seedling and digging tool, an afternoon picnic, or just your company,” Mr Dempsey said.
“A long-term aim is to build community momentum and resilience to climate change through collaborative Leadership and nourishing company.
“We can see into magic windows and hear the ripple over rocks along this jewel of Lilydale.”
Mr Dempsey told the Mail that the time had come for ambitious gardening and community nourishment.
Visit Facebook and search for Friends of Olinda Creek for more information or to get involved.
