In a sign that Canberra is set to turn onto a pathway of positivity, Kingston will deliver an early taste of spring this weekend as part of this year’s new Floriade Reimagined Festival.
Kingston residents and shopkeepers will join forces on Sunday to start a mass planting of spring bulbs and annuals on Jardine Street and Green Square.
President of the Kingston and Barton Residents Group (KBRG), Rebecca Scouller said that despite such a tough start to the year, the positive response from the community shows their spirit remains strong.
“We have been overwhelmed with offers of help from Kingston shopkeepers and local residents,” Ms Scouller said.
“After months of breathing smoke, dodging hail and now self-isolating, this Sunday offers an opportunity to see what happens when a community of volunteers gets together.
“Demand to participate in planting has been so strong there is already a waiting list of people wanting to help.”
The response from local shopkeepers has been generous with many giving up their time and resources to assist before the weekend’s planting.
Garden beds have been prepared by Scott Leggo of Scott Leggo Gallery, soil has been provided by Supabarn Supermarket, first aid and COVID-19 supplies by Kingston Capital Chemist, gardening advice and support from the Kingston Organic Community Garden, and food and coffee by Bittersweet.
Donations to thank the work of volunteers have also been received from Honeysuckle & Lace, Farrah’s Liquor Collective, BWS Kingston, the Kingston Hotel, and Prohibition at Urban Cellars-Kingston Foreshore, with others still coming on board.
Dan Rayner of Bittersweet and Scott Leggo reiterated Ms Scouller’s message that this planting is a great way to create some optimism in difficult times.
“After a tough few months of bushfires, hail damage and now coronavirus, this is a great opportunity to do something positive,’ Mr Leggo said.
“This will be such a bright and wonderful thing for our customers and staff at Bittersweet and for any visitors to Green Square to look forward to after such a rough start to 2020,” Mr Rayner added.
Floriade Reimagined is Canberra’s new-look festival of flowers for 2020 and will ensure flower lovers across the national capital won’t miss out, with spring bulbs and annuals to be planted in various Canberra suburbs rather than the single central location of Commonwealth Park as in previous years.
Ms Scouller has welcomed the ACT Government’s initiative and hopes that it may become a permanent feature of Floriade from this year on.
Residents and flower lovers are invited to watch the community planting in Jardine Street this Sunday May 24 from 10am to 3pm.
