Pathways to Ngara

A proposal to make pedestrian access to Ngara easier.

Background

Ngara garden was developed by Council and Curl Curl Lagoon Friends between 2018 and 2020 to create a natural space for those seeking the simple, quiet enjoyment of nature in John Fisher Park - a large public space that is otherwise mostly given over to the playing of competitive sports.

Accessing Ngara

Within the Park there is one main sealed pathway which crosses the Creek at two points and takes visiting walkers around the most pleasant section of the Park. To reach Ngara it is necessary to leave this path and detour 50m to 80m across the thick, uneven - and sometimes damp - grass of Stirgess Reserve.

The absence of any formed pathway to Ngara is likely to deter a parent with a stroller, or an older person walking for gentle exercise - perhaps with a walking stick or a companion - from attempting to reach the garden in the centre of the reserve. And it is people in this category who are likely to want to visit this garden.

Presently, there is nothing saying “Come In to the garden … this is the way . . . “.  Pathways create a sense of beckoning and welcoming visitors to come to the garden centre.

Artistic design Be able to create attractive, helicopter-view, artistic representation of Ngara design in context of its surroundings. Perhaps incorporating plants alongside pathways. Would be suggestive of aboriginal art in keeping with general theme. Use as logo for Ngara.  Incorporate in any new CCLF logo?

Artistic concept:

Type of path surface proposed:

Pathway material could be same as that used for centre of Ngara garden which is commonly used elsewhere including beach dune pathways. Alternatively, an aggregate with colour (e.g. crushed terracotta) could be considered to achieve a better artistic effect.