On August 11th a small but committed group of parents began digging, planting & mulching. Sugar maples, chestnuts, walnuts, apples, apricots, cherries, flowering crab apples & Japanese maples were among the grove of trees planted. Many more trees and flowers and veggies have since been planted, mulched, and nurtured by the kids teachers, family and friends of Katoomba Public School.

1995

The land on which the gardens stand was given in perpetuity to the people of Katoomba by Harold Hodgeson in early 20th century, is 1 of only 2 parks created in the 50 years prior to 1995 regionally. This year the land is allocated to the Community Gardens.

Lots of us knew very little about gardening or the environment when we started, this project brought us together and we learned by doing.

1992 – 1995

The group writes ecosystems surveys and makes a proposal to the local council for land to be used as a community garden. The land proposed is rare remnant vegetation in North Katoomba, an important catchment that drains from  the Great Western Highway. It has great importance in ameliorating water quality for Sydney Catchment.

There is also historical value, previously used as a holding area for cattle last century and is placed in the food/orchard growing hinterland of Katoomba 1800 – 1900′s.