By Mikayla van Loon
A project to revive the garden area at The Bridge House in Kilsyth, although delayed, will continue in the new year, with a group of volunteers excited by the potential of the space.
Initiated by Montrose resident Pat Natoli almost six months ago, the garden group has been working towards an in person meet and greet which was postponed due to the fallen tree.
“It was unfortunate timing really, a week out from when we were going to do a meet and greet. We are lucky, there wasn’t too much of [the tree through the gardens] but I’m surprised it didn’t do more damage. It has pushed things back a bit,” he said.
Although the tree has halted The Gardens at The Bridge group from meeting this year, Pat said it won’t slow the momentum or plans the group has but it has just pushed the date of an in person meeting to February.
“We want to make sure that people understand that we’re still really keen to go ahead and that our plans are still the same as they were,” Pat said.
Working alongside Japara House and Yarra Ranges Council, Pat said the vision is to create not only a vegetable garden, with compost facilities but a welcoming community space for people to gather, connect and share in a fresh outdoor area.
“We changed the name to The Gardens at The Bridge to symbolise there is a veggie patch, with the kitchen garden type area but there’s also going to be on the other side more seating where you can have a moment to yourself if you want,” he said.
The first stage will be to invert the current garden beds in the vegetable patch, so there is wheelchair access and to allow plants to grow through the current fence, where people can pick fruit or vegetables from the outside.
“Everything in here is going to be free. You don’t have to pay to join the garden, you don’t have to pay for an allotment. If you want some basil or whatever it may be, come and grab some.”
Pat said he would also like people to be able to access the compost bins, so that people who don’t have one at home can dispose of their vegetable scraps at The Garden.
With a rainwater grant coming through next year for better water tanks, pipework and a potential rain garden, Pat said there are a few other grants the group is hopeful to receive to get works underway.
Pat’s vision for the gardens and the vegetable patch is to be a vibrant community spot, welcoming all different cultures to grow and cook with plants common in their food.
Maintaining the gardens once they are up and running will also be made easier with the help of Valley Care, an organisation that employs people with disabilities to mentor and empower them through work.
With so many ideas floating around already, The Gardens have so much potential to be more than just some garden beds, with Pat thinking of things like a repair cafe and a children’s garden education group.
“I’m really hopeful for this space and really excited.”
Pat said should people want to get involved, the Facebook group under the name The Gardens at The Bridge is the best place or by contacting Japara House on 9728 3587 or info@japarahouse.com.au
