The next stage in establishing North Arm Cove’s new village green took place on Saturday 22 April when 18 dedicated residents turned up for the first of three working bees aimed at selectively clearing the site in preparation for seeding and cultivation.
As explained in a previous article, the “green” is opposite the existing Hall and is intended to be a place with a trail for walking, a place to take your kids or grandkids for a bike ride or to play a ball game, or just a place to sit and listen to the birds whilst taking in the native surrounds.
While a mechanical slasher will clear a large part of the central area – we hope this will happen soon – the periphery has to be cleared by hand as there are too many retained trees to enable the slasher to gain effective access. The work on Sunday mainly involved the removal of weeds and tree debris, plant identification and general clearance.
Unfortunately, there was also quite a lot of lantana, much more than had been immediately apparent. This either had to be dug out or, when this wasn’t possible, poisoned. Don’t panic, the poison used was an environmentally friendly herbicide that won’t have any residual impact on the soil.
Working bees are also scheduled for:
· Saturday April 29 from 3:00 to 4:30 pm with a free sausage sizzle at the Hall
· Tuesday May 2 from 10:00 to 11:30 am with a free morning tea at the Hall
You are invited to come to either or both of these. To help us with catering and organisation, it would be useful if you could let us know if you (and others) can come, and to which sessions, either by email - workingbee@northarmcove.nsw.au - or by phone to Len Yearsley on 4997 3262.
If you can't, then please just turn up on the day. Gloves will be available but please wear good shoes and a hat and bring repellent. You can do as much or as little as you like, so please join in.
