Community gardens and orchards
'Community gardens are about community first, gardening second' (ACG member).
Community gardens and orchards are more than just places to grow food. They're spaces where people come together, share knowledge, swap stories, and build lasting connections.
There are three community gardens in the Campbelltown Council area. These are located on Council land and are run by the community, independent to Council.
Community gardens have private garden beds that garden members can rent to grow their own food which are not for public use. Community gardens also have communal garden beds that are planted with herbs and vegetables for the public to enjoy.
The Campbelltown Community Orchard has a range of fruit and nut trees and is a Council managed volunteer program.
No gardening experience? No problem! There are plenty of ways to get involved, from planting and watering to organising and learning.
Everyone is welcome to join a community garden or the community orchard and get involved.
Padulesi Park, 3 Victoria Ave, Athelstone
Athelstone Community Garden is ungated and open to the public.
There are communal garden beds and private member garden plots, fruit trees, composting bays, urban beehives, a Little Street Library and a sheltered meeting area.
Gardening mornings are held at 9:30 am on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month.
For more information, membership fees and to get involved, contact:
- John on 0422 127 405
- ennejay@bigpond.com.au
- Athelstone Community Garden Facebook page
1018 Lochiel Parkway, Campbelltown
Lochiel Park Community Garden is gated and available to members only.
Membership of the garden is open to anyone in 'reasonable walking distance' of the garden (to reduce food miles). Members can hire a private plot or they may just want to join in community activities.
Garden working bees are held monthly with weekly 'mini-bees'.
For more information, membership fees and to get involved, contact:
- Jenny (President) on 0411 150 599
- Lochiel Park Community Garden Facebook page
- Lochiel Park Community Garden website
Playford Road Reserve, Playford Road, Newton
The Newton Community Garden is ungated and has communal garden beds as well as raised private garden beds that members can rent to grow their own food – these are not for public use.
The Rotary Club of Campbelltown and community gardening guru, Mr Alan Shepard, have been instrumental in supporting the establishment of the Newton Community Garden.
Garden working bees are held fortnightly on a Sunday from 9 am to 11 am.
For more information, membership fees and to get involved, contact:
Access via Reservoir Road Reserve, Reservoir Road, Paradise
The Campbelltown Community Orchard is a collection of fruit and trees. This is a Council run volunteer program.
There are regular working bee sessions where volunteers work together to look after the trees and enjoy the fruit that they grow. Some of the tasks that volunteers do include spreading mulch, pruning trees, netting trees, weeding and watering. It is also a great place for learning, sharing skills and meeting others.
The Community Orchard has a sheltered seating area and urban beehives. It is also home to the old Thorndon Park Reservoir pump house which is decorated with a mural painted by Melanie Spurling.
Working bee sessions are held on the 3rd Sunday of the month from 10 am to 12 noon and three weeks after on a Monday afternoon.
No garden or fruit tree experience is needed - everyone is welcome!
If you want more information or if you are not sure what you can do in the Community Orchard, contact Sophie for a chat on 08 8366 9303 or skavoukis@campbelltown.sa.gov.au.