By: Michael Fox
Today I had the honour of meeting the Greening Moorooka [Bushcare] Group who have been building a Pollinator Link between the western section of Toohey Forest and Moolabin Creek.
Today’s event was a community planting in Moolabin Park to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Greening Moorooka Group’s work restoring and protecting a chain of parkland forming a wildlife corridor linking Toohey Forest with Moolabin Creek which feeds into Oxley Creek.
The chain of parks: Mayfield Gardens, Peggs Park, Koala Park, Moolabin Park, follow the line of a creek that originally rose in Toohey Forest.
In 1998 the Group started planting in Mayfield Gardens then progressively move through restoring Peggs and Koala Parks to Moolabin Park.
This has been a real community partnership with Brisbane City Council with the Group taking anonymous green spaces and bringing them to life with names for the individual parks. In the process approximately thirty parcels of land have been protected from development as housing. The Group have also been instrumental in facilitating the enhancement of the parks for community use with:
- creation of a pond and viewing platform in Pegg’s Park;
- installation of a half-court basketball court, interpretative signs and playground equipment; and
- bike paths.
Maureen is particularly proud of the way the bike paths and amenities have brought young and old into the park as a destination in itself and as an avenue for exercise and recreation: safe community space.
A special family: John, Maureen, Rachel and Ryan
“The bike paths have made a huge difference for community members. I was a really pleased when one day I saw a woman drop off an elderly man at the entry to one of the parks and then drive around to the other end to pick him up. The bike paths have created a place where he can get his exercise.” Jean Rousseaux
A founding member, Jean’s vision fuelled the group for many years.
John and Maureen have a special story of their own. Two of the original founding members of Greening Moorooka Group they have been joined first by Rachel then Ryan. The smiles tell the story of a special family proud of what they have achieved for their community.
Long-term/founding members including Cr Steve Griffiths, Kathleen, Barbara, Helen, MaryAnne were also there to celebrate.
Register to receive your Pollinator Link fence sign.
A beautiful sunny morning in the park, what a great opportunity to introduce Pollinator Link to community members who really understand the importance creating habitat for our urban wildlife.
I fielded a lot of questions about building Habitat Tripods to provide food and shelter for small birds, the importance of Planting Local to Feed Locals, using GroNative app and where to get local south-east Queensland plants: Community Nurseries.
Congratulations to the Greening Moorooka Group on 20 years of valuable visionary contribution to our wildlife and community.
Greening Moorooka members also acknowledge ongoing support of the Habitat Brisbane team and lobbying by the local councillors whose efforts have been instrumental in facilitating our work and the provision of amenities in the parks
Railway track just visible through the wildflowers on The High Line, NYC 
By: Michael Fox
