PARK VOLUNTEER GROUP
A small group of SAP members started working with the Parks Victoria rangers in 2006. The SAP committee wanted to show that our members were truly interested in the welfare of the park and wanted to assist in its maintenance for the benefit of all the public.
The small group of six to eight members began by spreading mulch around trees in the park and it has progressed substantially from there. The group currently works in the park every Wednesday from 9am to 1pm with a small break over Christmas.
The current major activity is centred on the indigenous plant area surrounding the Ngargee Tree close to the St Kilda junction in the southern part of the park. The volunteer group has been working here for over 10 years and work generally involves:
• Using a grant from the City of Port Phillip (CoPP) to create a reflection pond and surrounding edge planting.
• Using another grant from CoPP to extend the indigenous plant area and create a welcome zone along the main walkway near the Ngargee tree.
• Weeding and mulching.
• Selecting, propagating and planting indigenous plants.
• Maintenance of park furniture.
• Making and installing signage.
• Installing a water line and various taps to enable summer watering.
Following are some of the smaller activities and projects that have made the park more inviting for visitors.
• Repairing park seats.
• Assembling tree guards.
• Maintenance in the Parks Victoria nursery and repotting small plants.
• Assisted Parks Victoria staff in planting trees along the western bike path and tram reserve.
• Assisted in the production of 27 log benches made from the removed cypress trees. These are mainly located in the southern part of the park and around the Ngargee tree.
• Using grant funds to pay for the cutting of a removed elm tree into slabs which were later used in the manufacture of 8 benches. Three of the benches were made by SAP volunteers. These benches were installed by SAP volunteers and are located around the edge of the lake in the northern section.
• Assisted in the planting an avenue of Brachychiton acerifolius, native flame trees, along a pathway near Fitzroy Street and the St Kilda Park Primary School.
• Generally assisting Parks Victoria rangers in the weeding and planting in various locations in the park.
• Paid a local tradesman for the building of a bench from tree off-cuts and positioning it at the site of the SAP daily vigil along Albert Road.
Of course we are always looking for extra volunteers.
But you do not need to be a member of SAP – all you need is enthusiasm, a desire for the outdoors and making the park a better place to be in.
Reflection pond
Part of group after clearing and planting wallaby grass seedlings.
Plaque that Peter Goad made with the second CoPP grant.
Part of group after installing logs to be used as occasional seats (near Ngargee tree).
Part of the avenue of flame trees near Fitzroy Street. SAP assisted in the planting of the original trees which was initiated by the office of Martin Foley, the local State MHR member.
Section of area along the western bike path showing some of the trees that have matured. SAP members helped Parks Vic rangers in the planting.
Tree guards have been installed around some trees.
The area covered by the second CoPP grant and showing part of the area after it had been cleared of weeds and planting had just started.
Seat installed near the newly planted area using second CoPP grant.
Newly planted site using second CoPP grant.
Bench near the site of the SAP daily vigil on Albert Road. This seat did have a brass plaque on it to identify it as the previous SAP vigil site. The plaque was removed and the back of the back rest of the seat was destroyed (probably by GP "enthusiasts"). It would have needed a lot of effort or a big vehicle to do that damage. The back rest has been replaced and has not been damaged since.
One of the benches made from an elm tree that was removed by Parks Vic due to safety reasons – it was near the end of its life and was a danger to the public.
SAP used grant funds to have the tree trunk cut into slabs, and after the timber had been aired and dried, SAP used those funds to have five seats made. SAP made another three seats. The seats are around the lake edge in the northern section of the park.
Some of the log seats (from cypress trees that were removed) around the Ngargee tree. There are 30 logs seats in total around the southern section of the park that SAP helped to make. Below is an enlargement of the sign in the background.
This sign, and six log seats, were installed in 2012 by the SAP group.
Above and below:
Signage near Ngargee tree.
