Work may begin on a community garden in Welcome Bay by autumn 2012 if plans get support from local resident

Welcome Bay Community Garden Project coordinator Anna Larsen says residents can learn more about the garden proposal at an open day at Selwyn Park on Saturday, October 29.

Caption: Garden project members from left; Flora Larsen, Anna Larsen, Mariama Sargisson, Delwyn Walker, Ron Lopert. photo: Tracy Hardy.

Tauranga City Council has endorsed a move to explore suitable sites for community gardens in Welcome Bay and Mount Maunganui, looking further into two preferred sites in both areas.

Anna says if there is strong community support for Selwyn Park – the Welcome Bay garden group's preferred site – the project should progress quickly, with work beginning on the site as soon as autumn.

She says the group is backing Selwyn Park over the second option of Waitaha Reserve because it is the heart of a strong community, and is less vulnerable to vandalism.

'We already have strong community support for a community garden and the creation of community gardens is an objective in the Welcome Bay Community Development Project 2010, which is a community-driven project.”

Once there is clear support for a site, the group needs to go through a detailed formal application process with council obtaining a lease on the garden site.

Then funds need to be raised to cover an estimated $20,000 in setup costs – based on the Otumoetai Community Garden it is being modelled on.

Details about the Welcome Bay options, along with information from those involved with the Otumoetai garden, will be available at the open day.

The event is being planned like a community gala with stalls and activities, including a free bouncy castle and a sausage sizzle.

Anna says the garden, which will comprise a series of allotments, will boost the community connection by bringing together residents from a wide range of ages and backgrounds.

For more details email [email protected] or phone Delwyn 07 544 9772.