ERINDALE NEIGHBOURHOOD GARDEN
ANNUAL SCARECROW FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER 2024
'FEATHERED FRIENDS:
OUR BEAUTIFUL BACKYARD BIRDS'.
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​This year's Scarecrow Concert and Children's Morning Tea was a fun event! It was a lovely sunny spring morning and we had a great roll-up, with 90 children in attendance. Combined with about 25 adult carers/teachers/volunteer gardeners and the fabulous Wattas Ukulele Band (also volunteers), the Garden was alive with fun and music!
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Would you like to be involved in our Garden?
There are many ways to participate! From growing your own vegetables in a raised garden bed, through to helping with general maintenance of our lovely native garden - it's up to you!
Send us a message through our CONTACT FORM for more information! We love to welcome new gardeners!
About Us
A group of Erindale non-profit organsiations and interested local people have created a community garden on an 830sq m block of vacant land at 39 Comrie Street, Erindale - just across the road from Erindale Shopping Centre in the heart of the Tuggeranong Valley. In the media every day we hear about childhood obesity and unhealthy eating choices; disconnected youth; or isolated and lonely elderly. The aim of the garden is not only to grow vegetables and to encourage healthy eating; it is even more about building links between individuals and community groups in the neighbourhood, and developing a sense of "belonging" for people in the Erindale precinct.
The garden of course has raised garden beds to grow vegetables; but it also includes a native and flower garden to relax in and for children to explore, and is designed to be wheelchair-friendly. The theme of the garden is inclusion.
What features have been constructed in the garden?
- 22 raised garden beds for vegetable growing; some beds designed for wheelchair access.
- Australian native garden with exploration pathways is a great favourite with children. A "bush tucker" bed is growing nicely.
- Herb gardens; children's play features; bird feeder all being put to good use.
- Covered pergola for shelter, conversation, and enjoying the view.
- Utilities area including a storage shed, compost bins and workbench.
- 1,000 litre water tank is in place, and collecting rainwater from pergola roof. Also mains water, with five tap points.
- Mesh fence and gates for security.
Our garden community includes a range of local organisations and individuals from the area that encircles the garden site: members of the Tuggeranong Uniting Church congregation; people who use the Erindale Neighbourhood Centre; Communities@work Family Day Care; people living at the adjacent units; and other Erindale residents. The ACT government licence to use the community-zoned land was issued for ten years from 1 May 2015. Construction of Stages 1 and 2 was completed in 2015-16. Due to demand, four more raised garden beds were constructed in 2018.
What is the garden used for?
- growing fruit and vegetables
- educating children and others about plants, growing food, healthy eating and outdoor play
- sharing gardening knowledge and expertise
- informal mentoring
- enjoyment of outdoors and community connections.
We believe the garden is generating a range of long term benefits for the Erindale and wider community.
Erindale Neighbourhood Garden is a not-for-profit initiative
managed by a community Garden Committee
Under the auspices of Registered Charity
Uniting Church of Australia (ACT) Property Trust
ABN: 17 745 976 530
Garden site before construction
Looking south east from Comrie Street
Sept 2014
Garden today
Growing food
Garden today
Native plant walk