MEDIA RELEASE : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date : 21 November 2002
From : 'Growing Community' in association with the Wellington Rainforest Action Group, Campaign for a Better City and Anti-Bypass Action.

Park Up III - Yet another 'Bypass' Community Garden.

On Sunday the 1st of December the urban community garden group 'Growing Community' are organising the creation of yet another garden to stand boldly in the path of the proposed inner-city 'Bypass'. This time in an empty lot on Buller Street near the Terrace Tunnel.

The brainchild of several Wellington 20-somethings, Growing Community was set up to transform unused urban land into vibrant living food gardens for local people to use as a gathering space, to restore native wildlife and as a symbolic barrier to the 'Bypass'. Two gardens already exist in Tonks Avenue and Kensington Street. An attempt was made at Buller Street earlier this year but was foiled by "concrete-like soil problems" says spokesperson Emily Bailey and so the group are trying again but this time "with hardware". All the gardens lie on the proposed inner city 'Bypass' route "as a form of protest or demonstration of what the land can be 'sustainably' used for and how it can be beautified and loved by the local community instead of being concreted for vehicles that just want to drive on by". Buller street was chosen as there is an unused space halfway down the street that already has some tall trees and receives plenty of sun and foot traffic.

People are invited down to enjoy in the creation of the garden. Included on the day will be an acoustic performance from local groove/rock/reggae band KAMAhi and an opportunity to enjoy a BYO picnic, weather permitting. Meet between 10am and 5pm on Sunday the 1st of December. Bring edible plants, herbs, native plants, instruments, paintbrushes, decorations and any tools you have. Mulch and compost is especially sought after.

Contacts : Kane Fawcett (04) 5897-320, fawcettino@hotmail.com or Emily Bailey (04) 973-5355, wrag_@hotmail.com

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