About Us
About MGP Community Garden
Market Garden Park Community Garden is maintained by our members who volunteer their time and are committed to sustainable, organic and bush-friendly gardening.
The Community Garden is part of Market Garden Park, which is public land owned by Willoughby City Council. The garden beds and paths were created as part of the redevelopment of land formerly known as Willoughby Paddocks.
The community garden was established in 2019, in collaboration with Willoughby Council. A small committee worked closely with Jan Felton, Willoughby Council's Community Projects Officer, to create the incorporated association, under which the garden operates.
Our Objectives
We see ourselves as part of a movement that aims to foster health and well-being for individuals, family groups and the environment. We aim for our gardening to be sustainable, organic, and bush-friendly.
Sustainable
minimal importing of resources
re-use existing materials, where possible
re-use waste generated on site, where possible
Organic
no artificial pesticides or herbicides
non-hybrid plant seeds
naturally-generated fertilisers
Bush-friendly
prevent weed infestation without harming wildlife
provide habitat for native fauna, such as native bees
prevent run-off from the garden
Why is it called Market Garden Park?
Market Garden Park was previously called Willoughby Paddocks. However, this name glosses over an important part of Willoughby's history.
From the mid 1920s until the early 1950s, a number of plots of land along Eastern Valley Way contained market gardens growing vegetables and flowers for the local community.
The land on the north side of Sailors Bay Creek and to the west of Eastern Valley Way was used as a market garden by Charlie Ah Bung. It is likely that this garden was the last of many Chinese market gardens in Willoughby.
Over the years, the market gardens gradually changed to grow flowers for the blossoming cut flower market. However, Charlie Ah Bung's garden continued to grow vegetables, including lettuce, spinach, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, beetroot, cauliflower, beans and radishes.
It's very fitting that Market Garden Park Community Garden retains the link to earlier days in our name and still grows the same vegetables today.
Private Garden Plots
Two garden plots are currently allocated to gardeners whose involvement predates the formation of MGP Community Garden.
These gardeners maintain their plots with their own materials and supplies, independently of the rest of the community garden.
When these gardeners relinquish their plots or cease to be members of the garden, these plots will revert to the communal garden.
Individual plots are no longer being allocated.