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