The aim of the Campbelltown Community Garden Directory is to promote healthy, sustainable, and inclusive communities.
It was developed by Campbelltown City Council in partnership with Ability Links NSW and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
The directory will be officially launched at a Campbelltown Community Garden Fair next Wednesday, August 16 in Mawson Park.
This free event will include live music, lucky door prizes, face painting, gardening workshops, opportunities to meet Aussie wildlife and a free sausage sizzle.
Campbelltown Mayor, Cr George Brticevic, said community gardens helped local communities become more sustainable.
“As well as fostering connection to community, participation in a community garden has been shown to have direct health benefits as a result of both the physical activity in gardening and having access to fresh, low cost produce on a daily basis.
“They can also save people money and improve participants’ mental and social wellbeing,” Cr Brticevic said.
Amanda Scali from Ability Links with the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW said: “Community gardens are for all members of a community, and as such should be accessible to everyone.
“Ability Links is a free service promoting inclusivity in the community.
“Linkers work in two ways; by supporting people with disabilities, their families and carers to live the life they want, as valued members of their community, and by linking with businesses and organisations to make community spaces physically and socially accessible,” said Ms Scali.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“The directory includes locations of community gardens, helpful contacts, cost to participants, transport options and accessibility details,” she said.[/social_quote]
Phil Petitt, community greening coordinator from the Royal Botanic Gardens, is opening the event.
“With government, corporate and philanthropic support, the Royal Botanic Gardens have for 15 years contributed to the growth of community gardens in NSW, a global movement with significant impact on public health, social cohesion, environmental education and food security,’’ he said.
“Our community greening program provides enriching garden-based learning experiences for disadvantaged, vulnerable and at-risk youths throughout urban and regional NSW,” said Mr Petitt.
• For more information: Amanda.Scali@vinnies.org.au or phone 0428 938 112
SNAPSHOT
What Campbelltown Community Garden Fair and official launch of the Campbelltown Community Garden Directory.
When 10.20am- 2pm, Wednesday, 16 August
Where Mawson Park, 117 Queen Street, Campbelltown
Features Free sausage sizzle, gardening workshops, entertainment, prizes and the chance to meet your local Linkers.
