A section of grass at Blackford Street Reserve will be converted into a native garden as part of the City of Vincent’s eco-zoning program. 

The project, set to transform an 800m2 area of the reserve, aims to save water while creating habitat for birds and other wildlife. Gravel paths will feature throughout the garden area. 

Recognising the significant amount of water required to maintain grassed areas, even those rarely used, the City introduced an eco-zoning program in 2011. Blackford Street Reserve will be the 17th park to be upgraded as part of the program. 

Eco-zoned areas are designed to thrive with minimal maintenance. Plants and trees are carefully selected to suit local conditions. Once established the garden will be self-sufficient, requiring no irrigation or fertiliser.  

Areas around the edges of the reserve on the verge will be mulched and planted, while an adequate grassed space is retained community use. 

The City asked for community feedback on the eco-zoning of Blackford Street Reserve in March and April, including the opportunity to vote for their preferred plant species. Banksias, grevilia and eucalyptus were chosen as the most popular and will be included in the new eco-zoned space.  

Works

The community can look forward to seeing the garden take shape from the beginning of May 2024. Work will take around two weeks to complete and the playground will remain open. Specific works include:

• Marking up and spraying out grassed areas which will be turned into garden beds.
• Excavating areas which will become new access paths.
• Applying a thick layer of mulch in preparation for planting.
• Planting new native garden beds.

Plan