Contact Gardening Australia ABC for Publicity Filming

FoNL 2017 survery

21st Celebration suggestions:

Contact Gardening Australia ABC for publicity filming

Information Stall (Markets & aligned organisation ‘get togethers’) / x
Fund Raisers (eg. Film night at the Sun Theatre) / x

I’m not sure if a talent quest serves the purposes of the group unless it is a partnership

Photographic exhibition – new and historic images - with an opportunity to gather old members and new, workers, dignitaries etc. Either in park for a day with a market or fair or picnic or Substation for longer but with an opening night. Maybe to coincide with Newport Folk Festival? Then turn images into a video and/or photo book for website.
21 years photo and notice on noticeboard
21 years story in the local paper
21 years plaque on a new specimen tree in the Arboretum
A 3 minute video (for website and you tube) of 21 years of stories and memories about the Friends
A 21 year project – a children’s garden
An ecumenical service of thanksgiving
A guest speaker

I don’t think you need to pick one idea (energy, volunteers and money withstanding, of course).

Dogs at the BBQ AREA RUNNING AROUND WORRIES ME THAT THERE COULD BE SCUFFLES BETWEEN DOGS, AND WE CANNOT GUARANTEE TO GET THE AREA TO OURSELVES.
I DO THINK A DOG INCLUSIVE EVENT IS NOT A BAD IDEA BUT I WOULD HAVE IT EITHER IN THE ARBORETUM OR N/W HOLE.
What about a ‘car rally’ without the car. Send people off on a hunt for items/clues in the park (eg, leave a clue at the frog mosaic, rock no.3 etc)and have prizes for first finished,youngest competitor etc. I would like to see the prizes come from the nursery that FONL or council pay for. Have the ‘race’ finish in the amphitheatre with a bbq lunch. Its a nice place to wait for other competitors to finish. We would probably have to define a small area of the park or it will just get down to the fittest. I would suggest amphitheatre, green corp track and a patch of the arboretum.

Comments:

Thank you for all you do (x 4)

As a dog owner, I find the off-lead dog area invaluable

I walk my dog here every day and try to recruit members. Most dog-walkers are only concerned with improving facilities for their dogs – some are willing to do work on walking track and surrounds.

The opportunity and privilege to have quiet enjoyment of water, land, plants, animals and sky is to be valued individually and collectively. More than ever I think there is a case for visible and diverse activity with vast developments coming along Blackshaws Road.

I don’t know why I don’t go there anymore, possibly I don’t feel a sense of involvement, responsibility and ownership? Occasionally I’ll play some Pokemon Go along the edge!

…It’s literally a breath of fresh air when I can make it there, I’m sorry it’s become less frequent due to my old dog not having the stamina but still walk here with friends when I can. I also regret being unable to help much for some time now for a number of personal reasons, but hope one day that will change. I so appreciate that local crew are doing so much to keep it sustainable, healthy and a welcoming and functional park for a wide variety of users including of course the flora and fauna!! All the very best and Congratulations on all that has been achieved in these 21 years!!

………Congratulations and thank you to the hard working committee without whom the community wouldn’t have this public asset to learn about the natural environment, relax and enjoy it.

…………………………………it’s so good for the soul
The park is a fantastic resource and you do a marvellous job.……

Hi, I just wanted to say thank you for the work you do.
(some suggestions moved to HBCC area)
Last but not least, have you considered creating a web version of your survey to get further reach? When talking to people at the dog park to complete they thought it was a hassle to complete and return. Webpages such as survey monkey offer a decent free platform to explore should your group wish to consider it with in-built analytics. Thanks again to you and you’re your team of dedicated volunteers. I would be interested to see the results of the survey – will they be published or tabled at your AGM?PS Perhaps pin the survey to your facebook page not just your website! (I got the details from the front gate notice)
It is so lovely to walk in Newport Lakes; can feel far from the city when walking in there.
Suggestions:

To care for and protect the fauna and flora of NP Lakes in a way that is sustainable into perpetuity. Where necessary we should also advocate for NP Lakes should council or whomever intend to act in any way that conflicts with this aim. Do we have a mission statement? Does anyone from the group attend relevant council meetings to represent the interest of NP Lakes? That’s what I think we should be doing. In addition to all the activities undertaken by the group, weeding, planting, mulching and so on, I think we should aim to increase awareness of the group by networking (which seems to already be quite successful), creating publicity event opportunities (like information stalls) and activities for the general public (picnics and so on perhaps). We need to grow. We need a higher profile and more members. We need to support and share the load of those very able and hardworking existing members. We need younger members. Many younger people are extremely motivated to care for the environment. It would also be great to more closely monitor the welfare of the biota in NP Lakes. To observe and record any changes in the park. Could some academics with expertise be enticed into collaboration? NP Lakes is one of the few areas in inner Melbourne ‘returned’ to native species while at the same time being surrounded by urban development. I am certain it has a wealth of knowledge to contribute. Should we be applying for grants? No harm in dreaming .... J

………I Think some fresh ideas and more creative ways to attract younger residents and talent

onto the committee is important. Marketing and digital expertise would be good using social media

and or better use of the web page. The committee has been faithful and hardworking for many

years but I think it is time that some space be made for new leadership and ideas.

I think we need also to find ways to bring together the dog owners/walkers and nature lovers of the

park to celebrate and work together for the benefit of all.

…It is a beautiful, peaceful place in a busy suburb. Schools should be encouraged to use it for water quality and macro-invertebrate study. Maybe encourage families to adopt certain areas for looking after, observing and studying the plant, bird and insect life.

With regard to the flyer on feedback here are a few thoughts. I will start by saying I'm a current but not very active member of FoN recently, as like many in the area I have a youngish family, plus full time work, part time study, so while I would love to do more for my much loved park at the end of my street, I am very time poor at this stage of my life.

I will also acknowledge the traditional keepers of the flame for the park, current and past, it is clear that the people who fought to get then great jewel we currently enjoy should be celebrated, as should those who continue to curate and maintain it.

So here's a few random thoughts.

1. I think the Friends Group needs more of a social media presence and most things could be organised and widely promoted via a Facebook page. I know not everyone uses Facebook, but many many do, and it is particularly useful and easy for community uses such as ours to promote membership, reminders work days, and even to show off the beauty and wonder of the park through the year. We might already have this but I've not seen it. I think you would find you would get more members and more people on work days.

2. I think after 21 years the park could use a plan that considers its next 20 years.While it is certainly functional and significant, I think for what it offers it remains to some extent an under used and hidden gem. And parts of it need some more serious work and attention. For example:

3. I'd like to see more events in the park- movie nights, a night time drama! art etc. I wish I had time to organise them.

Suggestions to be passed on to Council:
Drinking fountain at Kingham St gate
Another water foundation

Poo bin at Charlotte St (?)
Poo bin at top end of park

Big light in middle NW plain from 6 – 9 pm for safe dog walking
Lighting in the park (morning and evening) in winter for safety of dog walkers

Trying to replant trees in dried areas, fertilise trees, plant more shade trees

Would like to see dog-access to lower levels, as nearly all dog walkers are conscientious, and there doesn’t appear to be much native fauna to disturb there – ducks, swans etc have safe haven in the lake.

Water fountain at the gate at Bruce Street/Kingham Street end of the park would be nice

Fill in the holes around the edges of the grass section of the dog off lead area. These turn in to stinking mud baths during the wet season

Perhaps a seat for the dog off lead area at the section parallel to Graham Street amongst the trees so shade could be utilised doing the hotter times.

4. I'd like to see more families, more kids, more women feeling safe to explore the park on their own. To this end I think that on leash dog walking should be allowed on the top circle of the lake section of the park. The reality is while I don't do this myself, I see others doing it every day. And while I understand the argument of protecting native fauna, the public safety argument of more people feeling safe in the park- even if they need their dog to do so is a very important consideration.

· The off leash dog area doesn't need to be a formal garden with lots of infrastructure, and I understand it is trying to get that Commons/Heath feel but the scragglytrees, the weedshalf of the year make it feel unfinished, and pretty much useless for anything but dog walking. A couple of large significant shade trees wouldn't hurt.

· The entrance remains hidden- it is a pity the Council spent millions on rehabilitating that tiny reserve opposite the road on Mason street- they could have sold that off for development and bought the land out the front of the park to expand the entrance and build onto an existing strong asset.

· It would be great to have greater connectivity to Ducrow reserve, possibly closing that end of Johnston street to link them. That corner end piece at Johnston street is also poorly used/

· I'm in favour of developments and some densitynear the edges of the park as people looking into the park make it feel safe. Not massive development but appropriate to the neighbourhood.

· It would be great to have a café as part of the nursery area

· The playground equipment at the entrance is okay, but having a really good playground set up (see the recent park behind Sandridge RSL at Port Melbourne) would attract more people more often.

In terms of suggestions I understand you can only lobby council but having the gates open earlier would be appreciated. The entrance can become clogged with cars prior to 7am and be unsafe when unloading dogs or on bin day often blocking access for vehicles who use the road for business (fencers).

While I carry my own dog poop bags other users complain they are not restocked enough compared to other council sites in Hobsons Bay.

I understand infrastructure is limited (water pipes/electrical fit out etc.) but would like to see another light near the dog area or on the path from the carpark to the off-leash area to manage safety for those of us who use the park early morning or late at night.

The water fountain in the trees runs ‘white’, if this has been tested perhaps a sign to advise people the water is safe just runs at high pressure from water mains as the milky colour is alarming.

I’m not sure if this falls under your domain but people are sleeping in the park at night. At least 2 people camp in the bushes and pack up by 6.00am daily. Has anyone ever done a welfare check on these people?

· It would be great to have a café as part of the nursery area

· The playground equipment at the entrance is okay, but having a really good playground set up (see the recent park behind Sandridge RSL at Port Melbourne) would attract more people more often.

· The entrance remains hidden- it is a pity the Council spent millions onrehabilitating that tiny reserve opposite the road on Mason street- they could have sold that off for development and bought the land out the front of the park to expand the entrance and build onto an existing strong asset.

· It would be great to have greater connectivity to Ducrow reserve, possibly closing that end of Johnston street to link them. That corner end piece at Johnston street is also poorly used/

· I'm in favour of developments and some densitynear the edges of the park as people looking into the park make it feel safe. Not massive development but appropriate to the neighbourhood.