Not just a usual park, the area has a wider purpose with Leeton Shire Council set to request approval from Crown Lands for the “addition of community purposes to the Crown Reserve”. 

This means the park will be able to be used “lawfully” for a wider range of activities and purposes. 

Council’s director of corporate and community Craig Bennett said the request will allow council, which is a reserve trust manager, to correctly categorise the area for future use. 

“The Leeton Aboriginal Men’s Group (LAMG) has proposed to expand their community projects by installing a community garden and ancillary storage shed on Gossamer Park, which is currently reserved for the purpose of public recreation,” he said.

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“Crown Lands has advised an additional reserve purpose must be added to the reserve in order to give approval for this project.

“The LAMG, in conjunction with the Leeton Aboriginal Women’s Group, have undertaken community projects on a voluntary basis at Wattle Hill and, in particular, at Gossamer Park.

“It has been their combined long-term plan to develop a community garden, which would contain native foods, bush tucker and individual and family group projects at the park.”

A compliant plan of management must also be developed to ensure Gossamer Park is being “lawfully used and occupied”.

Ensuring lawful use and occupation is an essential part of council’s role as the manager of Crown Land.

Mr Bennett is hoping to expedite the application to Crown Lands so the community garden project is not held up.

“The men’s and women’s groups have a wonderful vision which will deliver fresh food and important education to residents,” he said.

“Let’s get the ball rolling.”

The idea behind the garden will be for residents in the area to grab items from the garden whenever they are needed to help create healthy meals in their homes. 

In recent years Gossamer Park has become a real hub and hive of activity for the Wattle Hill community. 

Through its residents, council and various service community organisations in the wider Leeton area, the park has received a face lift. 

New playground equipment has been installed, as well as barbecues and upgrades to give the park a fresh look. 

Gossamer Park regularly attracts community events, as well as others hosted by organisations such as the Department of Family and Community Services. 

On Tuesday it will also be hosting a NAIDOC Week celebration from 10.30am, with the wider community invited to attend. 

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