Council Officially Opens George Street Park in Berry

Shoalhaven City Council today joined with members of the Berry community to officially open Berry’s George Street Park.

Constructed on land that had been left vacant from the Berry Bypass, the park has undergone an impressive transformation thanks to the vision and work of Berry & District Garden Club members.

Mayor Amanda Findley is impressed with the community spirit demonstrated by members who have built and will continue to maintain George Street Park.

“This park certainly is a labour of love and is a true reflection of the Club’s motto ‘Friendship through Gardening’. I can see that many, many volunteer hours have been devoted to planning and planting the lawns, garden beds, trees, sculptures, paths and seating,” said Clr Findley.

“Berry Garden Club members hand-watered the trees and shrubs throughout the heat and fires last summer and built most of the key garden features themselves. It is wonderful that they have made an ongoing commitment to weed and care for the garden plantings and trees at their monthly working bees,” she said.

“This is a fantastic asset for the Berry community and visitors and is a testament to the resilient spirit of the Berry community,” said Clr Findley.

Award-winning local sculptor Michael Purdy, with assistance from local resident Bob Croker, has created two amazing sculptures that make a statement about nature’s ability to triumph when threatened by urban development.

A Red Cedar sapling is establishing itself strongly between the cleaved sandstone of the first sculpture. The second sculpture features a rescued red cedar branch symbolically banded by sunlight penetrating the rainforest. Leaning towards the first sculpture, it acts as the guardian tree of the sapling and of all the other young trees in the park.

Sited between the two sculptures is a soaring curved timber pergola designed by Berry & District Club President, architect Stephen Buzacott.

George Street Park can be accessed from the southern end of Albert Street or the western end of George Street, Berry.

Image; Shoalhaven City Council’s Deputy Mayor Greg Watson, Berry & District Garden Club member Margaret Street and President Stephen Buzacott, Clr Patricia White and Clr John Wells cut the ribbon to open George Street Park in Berry.

/Public Release. View in full here.