After eight years of tireless effort, Apollo Park has been transformed into a vibrant oasis, thanks to the vision and the collaborative spirit of local residents with their ward councillor as well as local businesses and organisations.
On Saturday September 28, from 2pm to 5pm, the community will come together to unveil the Apollo Park Rewilding Project, featuring an innovative eco-bench and a fun-filled fund-raiser for Kirstenhof and Environs Residents’ Association (KERA).
The idea of rewilding and rejuvenating Apollo Park seemed like a pipe dream eight years ago, but a vision was born to have a space where residents could relax and play, says ward councillor Carolynne Franklin.
“Members of Kirstenhof Parks and I stood together on what was just a pedestrian thoroughfare, but I knew one day it would become reality. We now have Apollo Road Park – one section dedicated to exercise and play, another for gentle ball games and running freely, and a quiet space with passive rewilding under way. Here, nature can restore and heal without human intervention or mowing. This is a true community for good,” said Ms Franklin.
In 2022, KERA asked local environmentalist, Tim Kirsten, to search local parks for spring bulbs as part of the “grow, don’t mow” initiative. Apollo Park was the only site with bulbs.
KERA in partnership with their ward councillor and the City’s blessing, created the Apollo Park Rewilding Project.
During May, KERA hosted a community event in collaboration with 1st Kirstenhof Sea Scouts, local businesses and residents, to erect donated wooden bollards to cordon off the area. A sponsored truck moved the bollards on site while the community dug holes using an auger machine. The scouts cleared the holes, measured and planted the bollards, while the donated rope was secured using hooks.
Ar the official launch of the project – Spring in Apollo Park – City-approved signage sponsored and erected by local businesses will be unveiled as well as an eco-bench.
The eco-bench is a collaboration between the 1st Kirstenhof Sea Scouts and Lions Tokai who donated time, skills, and materials. The bench contains more than 1 000 eco-bricks collected by the community – saving approximately 275kg of non-recyclable waste from landfill.
Cubs and scouts learned how to mix cement and helped erect and fill the mesh frame. Cubs earn points towards their Recycling Badge while scouts gained service hours in Community and Environmental service towards Traveller Advancement (level 1) and Discoverer Advancement (level 2), respectively.
At the end of the build, all participants were encouraged to leave their handprints in the wet plaster.
“Community involvement enriches lives and strengthens society. Every act of participation, big or small, creates a positive impact for generations. The handprints we left on the bench will last for decades, showing that together, we can build a vibrant, interconnected community,” said Haylee Dugmore, KERA’s head of marketing and fundraising.
The Spring in Apollo Park is a fundraiser for KERA, featuring jumping castles, face painting, animal balloons, a reptile show, vendors and a raffle. Tickets are available on Quicket.
