Community gardens are a unique form of open space whereby people can learn, recreate, socialise and demonstrate sustainable principles within a garden setting. Community gardens are not-for-profit, and can provide for a wide range of environmental, social and economic benefits.
Community gardening is a valuable community recreational activity that contributes to health and well-being, positive social interaction, community development, environmental education, sustainable principles, protection and use of public open space. There are currently three community gardens within the Woollahra LGA
WHAT’S TO LOVE ABOUT COMMUNITY GARDENS?
They are places to learn.
Participating at, or even visiting, a community garden provides the opportunity to learn from experienced gardeners. Walk through a community garden with someone who gardens there, and you’ll likely end up full of questions for him or her (“What’s that vegetable?” “What’s that bug?” “How did you build that trellis for your cucumbers?”). Many community gardens include informational signage for visitors, and some host gardening classes or instructional tours, as well.
They are places to befriend your neighbors.
We live in an era in which, for many of us, our neighbors are strangers. Community gardens draw members who live nearby, so they provide the opportunity to meet, work beside, and even form friendships with people who might live down the street, but who you might never have encountered otherwise. Many an unlikely friendship has formed at a community garden, often across generational and cultural divides.
They are places for children (and adults!) to explore nature in the middle of urban areas.
Spend 5 minutes at a community garden, and you’ll find birds, lizards, and plants and insects at all stages of life–a vibrant ecosystem in action. Gardening has been shown to provide a plethora of benefits in children, including improved attitudes toward healthy food, improved understanding of life science concepts, and improved interpersonal skills. Growing evidence attests to our species’ deep rooted need to connect with nature. Community gardens are also valuable to wildlife, creating habitat corridors throughout our city.
Are you inspired to participate with a community garden? Find out more about these 3 community gardens in the woollahra area.
Rose Bay Community Garden
The Rose Bay Community Garden was established in 2014 and provides a space to create a beautiful garden for the local community, where people can learn, socialise, have fun, and grow organic fruit and vegetables.
The Rose Bay Community Garden is located next to Woollahra Park at the end of Manion Ave, Rose Bay. The site is fenced and includes individual allotments, shelter and a shed.
The site will also be utilised by Council’s Sustainability and Waste teams to conduct community workshops, presentations and community tours.
For membership enquires and more information on the Rose Bay Community Garden visit the Rose Bay Community Garden Facebook page.
Paddington Community Garden
Paddington Community Garden at Trumper Park was established in 2008. It is located at the rear of the Palms Tennis Courts, adjacent to the Council Nursery, and access is from Quarry Street. The site is fenced and includes individual allotments, a shelter, water tanks and seating.
The site is also used by Council’s Sustainability and Waste teams to conduct community workshops, presentations and community tours.
For membership enquires and more information on the Paddington Community Garden visit the Paddington Community Garden website.
Cooper Park Community Garden
The Cooper Park Community Garden was established in 2017 and provides a space to create a beautiful garden for the local community, where people can learn, socialise, have fun, and grow organic fruit and vegetables.
It is located next to Cooper Park Scout Hall on Cooper Park Rd, Bellevue Hill. The site is fenced and includes individual allotments and a shed. The site will also be utilised by Council’s Sustainability and Waste teams to conduct community workshops, presentations and community tours.
For membership enquiries and more information on the Cooper Park Community Garden, visit the Cooper Park Community Garden Facebook page or visit their website.
