Community garden fun day

Residents are invited along to a fun open day at the Cowaramup Community Garden this weekend.

Between 9am and 1pm on Sunday speakers, demonstrations and entertainment will be on offer for families and residents keen to get involved in the volunteer project.

Among the headliners, Forever Project guru Chris Ferreira will give two talks about sustainable gardening practices, Laura Bailey will share her insights as the local Living Smart co-ordinator, and resident singer Nicky Sandover will also perform.

There will also be face-painting, a sausage sizzle and a coffee van.

Garden spokeswoman Jackie Nichol said new volunteers would be encouraged to sign up on the day. “We really want locals to come along and embrace the idea,” she said.

“We don’t want this garden to end up being run by just a few volunteers, but a community space for all Cow-Towners.”

Ms Nichol is a landscaper and environmental scientist who helped design the garden’s layout — and she said a lot more was planned to make the centre a true community gathering place.

Volunteers would have input on many features under consideration for the site, including a children’s nature play area, art spaces, pizza ovens and a gazebo, she said.

Ms Nichol said the garden would feed into the growth of Cowaramup and an increasing number of night events, and could host art and music workshops, gardening and food demonstrations, and “just be a place for locals to hang out”.

“We are surveying locals on how they want to use the community garden space, so we definitely want it to be a vibrant, fun place for locals to use,” she said.

“We would love the space to be used creatively in future, to support the Lions and Men’s Shed and also other groups for men and women, kids and the elderly.

“A community garden is a place that all people can enjoy.”

Ms Nichol thanked Rebecca Cool and Kama Shaddock, who had spent time bringing colour into the garden’s sea container. Businesses keen for sponsorship opportunities should call 0433 212 552.