Residents spruce up Westdene Dam’s gardens
Residents donated plants and volunteered their time to improve three neglected garden beds, with organisers hoping to encourage more people to get involved.
A small group of residents took matters into their own hands at Westdene Dam on October 10, planting donated greenery in neglected garden beds to make the public space more welcoming.
The Mind Your Dam Business initiative focused on three garden beds near the children’s play area, with residents bringing plants, tools and their time to improve the surroundings.
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While the planting was completed, the turnout highlighted both the willingness of some residents to contribute and the challenge of getting more people involved in community projects.
Westdene resident Jacky Schwarz said looking after shared spaces was a responsibility that residents should embrace, adding that even small contributions could make a difference. “I think community is really important, and I think we all have to respect and look after our surroundings and the people within our community,” she said.
Schwarz encouraged residents to donate plants from their gardens or ask friends to contribute, pointing out that improving public spaces did not necessarily require money. “Why not just take two hours every so often and help the people in your community out?” she asked.
Schwarz acknowledged that the turnout could have been better, saying community initiatives often required persistence and continued engagement with neighbours to encourage participation. Despite the smaller group, she said the volunteers worked efficiently and managed to complete the task.
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She hopes the newly planted succulents, and other varieties of plants, will encourage more people to visit the dam, appreciate its surroundings and take pride in the public space. “Nature and plants – there’s something about them that is really peaceful and beautiful. It’s a feast for the eyes,” she said.
Fellow Westdene resident Anthony Bosman hopes the planting initiative will encourage more residents to get involved and support further projects aimed at improving the area. For those who took part, the goal is to build on the work already done and encourage greater community ownership of Westdene Dam, so that more residents can enjoy the space.
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