Community roots run deep in Lynnwood Gardens greening effort
Lynnwood Gardens is being beautified with green canopies of trees planted to create shaded, bird-friendly communal areas.
Residents of Lynnwood Gardens Estate have taken ownership of their environment, planting and maintaining trees and parks as part of a long-running greening initiative that began in 2020.
Chairperson of the Lynnwood Gardens Estate committee, Andrew van der Berg, said the project has become a cornerstone of the community.
“We plant and maintain our own grass, trees, and plants in communal areas.”
He explained that residents take ownership of these areas, decide what to plant, and submit their plans to the committee for approval.
Van der Berg added that they take care to follow council rules, such as not planting under overhead power lines.
According to Van der Berg, most of the estate’s trees are now in place, and the community is focusing on maintenance, while preparing to plant more.
“The council is providing more trees, and residents can also donate trees if they wish,” he said.
“We work continuously, not just during Arbour Month, but it is important for planting indigenous trees. The trees beautify the area, provide shade, and attract birds,” he said.
The community is currently analysing spaces where more trees can be planted, and will be requesting specific numbers from the metro.
He explained that they choose tree types based on available space and growth patterns to avoid overcrowding.
“You cannot plant trees that grow tall and big right next to each other. We plan carefully so that trees have room to grow,” he said.
Looking ahead, the estate also wants to involve local schools in future Arbour Day activities.
“We want students to help plant trees, so they can learn the value of greening their environment,” he said.
However, the work comes with challenges.
Van der Berg said maintaining the project year after year is not easy, but they continue to plant and improve their parks.
“It makes our suburb beautiful, creates shade, and brings in birdlife. It’s worth it,” he added.
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