Summerhayes Park Bushcare Group

Picture of Summerhayes Park volunteers
Summerhayes volunteers
[L-R] Felicity Harvey, Christine Ward, Lachlan Garland and Anthony Ward

Summerhayes Park Bushcare Group formed in September 2002. Another group had worked previously, maintaining the area behind the Community Hall. The new group, however, has expanded the scope of regeneration work.

To most people in the Springwood/Winmalee area, Summerhayes Park is a soccer ground. However, it is much more than this. The sporting grounds and their infrastructure cover 5.5 hectares, only 18% of the reserve's total of 30.4 hectares. The rest is bushland with a range of vegetation communities from dry woodland to lush creek side forest. The condition of the different plant communities varies greatly.

We work predominantly in the fragments of Shale Sandstone Transition Forest, an endangered ecological community. These are located along the edge of the urban area, ensuring there are many issues to be addressed. It is always satisfying to see an area slowly returning to its former glory.

We also work along Blue Gum Swamp Creek. As no tracks exist down to the creek, volunteers are able to experience a quiet solitude, interrupted only by a bounding Wallaby or a passing native bird.


Leucopogon fletcheri

Other areas we never visit, as they have remained in pristine condition. In one of these, the endangered shrub Leucopogon fletcheri ssp. fletcheri can be readily found.

The group consists of several members of varying ages and backgrounds; each enjoys the social interaction, as well as working to improve the local bushland.

The Bushcare Group meets on the first Saturday of each month from 9.00 am - 12.00 noon. New members are always welcome. Come along and be surprised at how much more there is to Summerhayes Park.

For further information contact Doug Nicholls on 4754 1516 or email on dougnicholls@bigpond.com.au.