The idea was hatched when Elvina Bay residents Thérèse Harrison and Carl Fronsek approached local bushcare groups, wanting to make a donation that would benefit the community and the environment. The result? Rocky Point Bushcare and Elvina Bay Bushcare are in the process of creating a Community Bush Food Garden in Elvina Bay Reserve. Work is planned to start in early February.
Thérèse Harrison and Carl Fronsek in Elvina Bay Reserve.
Photo by Lesley Stevens
The bushcare groups will establish a corridor of Australian superfoods along the pathway to South Elvina ferry wharf, starting at Wirringulla Avenue. Among the plants proposed for the Community Bush Food Garden are Davidson Plum, Finger Limes, Quandong, Lemon Myrtle, Native Raspberry and much more. Not only will the garden be beautiful and instructive, in due season residents will be able to sample the superfoods and take inspiration from them for their own gardens.
Thérèse and Carl’s kind donation has kicked off the process and the call now goes out to locals for further sponsorship of plants, along with the ancillary equipment needed for them to thrive, including cages, cage pegs and mulch. The young trees will be sourced from a local nursery.
Acknowledgement will be given via clay plaques. The first will read: COMMUNITY BUSH FOOD GARDEN: Created & Donated by Residents and will be situated at the beginning of the path from the ferry wharf to Wirringulla Avenue. Individual plaques will honour donors and be placed next to each plant. Those plaques will have the scientific name of the plant, the common name and, of course, the name of a donor.
As the area is a council reserve, Northern Beaches Council was approached for permission and has given the project hearty approval. There is room for the garden to expand to the east and north.
Anyone wishing to participate in this exciting new initiative should contact Lesley Stevens on 0408 623 554 for more details about how to donate, the planting schedule and the potential to be more closely involved.
Feature Image: Desert Quandong – Photo: Courtesy Parks Australia