A LONG-serving community committee is expected to implement its most recent project into Penola’s Greenrise Recreational Reserve.
Following a generous donation from the Penola Lions Club, the Greenrise Recreational Reserve committee will install a series of informative plaques on trees planted on the reserve in 2001.
The plaques will detail the species of each tree, providing community members and visitors with information on the wide variety of plants at the reserve.
Committee chairperson Brendan Provis said implementation of the new additions would improve the reserve experience.
“The plaques are really a continuation of Penola’s Arboretum project which has been in place since 2001,” Mr Provis said.
Mr Provis said the committee was grateful to the Penola Lions Club for its financial support of the project.
He said the committee had not sought funding from Wattle Range Council and when faced with financial issues, the service club volunteered to contribute.
“We have members of the Lion’s Club on our committee so it was a great opportunity to gain that community funding,” Mr Provis said.
“There are people who use the reserve on a regular basis as they walk their dogs or exercise in the area, so this is a great extension to that experience.”
Mr Provis, who has served on the committee since its establishment in the 1980s, said he was happy with the reserve’s aesthetic.
He said the reserve was also a well used recreational space and allowed caravans to camp overnight.
“In recent weeks the council also placed some exercise equipment into the reserve, which is a great way to encourage fitness within the area,” he said.
“It is wonderful for those who stay the night as well as those who regularly use the facility.”
With a handful of members away, Mr Provis said the committee was not expected to place the plaques in the reserve until October.
He said the plaques would be installed during a working bee.
“We have other plans in place for the area, including finishing walkways and other bits and pieces,” he said.
“For those projects we are currently looking into funding opportunities within the community.
“We will be looking for community funding options as well and if the projects fit into the town’s community plan we will be putting forward an application.”
Mr Provis said the reserve was viewed as a hot spot for tourists and received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from campers, visitors and members of the community.
“It really is a great area for the town and we are hoping to maintain it to that standard,” Mr Provis said.
