The seed of an idea...

We have lived in our home since the start of 2006 and we love living here. We have 3 young children and we love getting out and about with them. Godfrey Reserve is always part of our walks around the block but it's a very under-loved space even though it's our only open green space in this neighbourhood that is easy to get to! We've always felt quite sad about how little attention it seems to get for such a beautiful spot with such a wonderful view. This reserve, complete with basic playground and open space, has so much potential to be an enticing and enjoyable community space, filled with life and something that we could all feel a sense of wellbeing just from visiting on our walks - it may even become the reason for a wander outside of our own fences...

In 2017 I tried to apply for a grant that would provide funding to enhance the playground and surrounding open green space of Godfrey Reserve but it wasn't successful. Our local member, David Speirs - Member for Black, met me here at Godfrey Reserve and kindly listened to all of the issues that I was raising about the old playground equipment and the lack of native vegetation in this area. He also understood that I thought this reserve was an important part of our neighbourhood, a space where we could get out of our houses and yards and enjoy some space to play, walk, run, climb or just sit quietly and admire the views.

Fast forward to today and after lobbying Onkaparinga Council, we have a wonderful opportunity to really make a change to this reserve. We have Leanne from the council here to help guide us through the process of selecting and planting the right kinds of native species to get the ball rolling towards a greener, healthier reserve with enhanced habitats that attract butterflies and birds and working one step at a time towards improving the entire space.

I am so excited about the possibilities that we have as a neighbourhood to make this a better place for everyone who lives in this patch of Darlington. Please take the time to think about what you would like to see happen at our community's reserve, now and into the future. And if you have any concerns at all about what is starting to unfold in the reserve, please take the time to express those concerns so that we can make sure that your ideas are heard as well.

Just the seeds of an idea that I hope will grow into something wonderful for everyone at the heart centre of our neighbourhood.