Chance to tour natural wonder

THE Friends of Sparrow Ground and members of St Paul’s Anglican Church are inviting the community to go for a stroll and have a picnic surrounded by the woodlands, grasslands, and waterways.

Long time advocate for Sparrow Ground, Hedley Thomson, will be conducting the walking tour and following this there will be a bring your own picnic for the community to come together.

For the last 30 years volunteers and the City of Ballarat have been working to improve the area by controlling weeds such as English broom, gorse and blackberry.

“The Friends of Sparrow Ground meet periodically to maintain the walking areas and to get rid of invasive species,” said Sue Lanyon, member of St Paul’s Anglican Church.

The site takes its name from its use more than 130 years ago as a place to use sparrows as target practice, but now Sparrow Ground is home to wildflowers and kookaburras.

Ms Lanyon said she hopes this event will allow people to learn more about the area.

“We hope people will discover a new place and enjoy the native bushland that’s right on our doorstep and enjoy the company of other people,” she said.

“It’s a reminder of what was here before European settlement so as a time capsule it’s wonderful for the spirit, the environment, for native animals and it’s a quiet place where people can come away from the hustle and bustle of city life.”

The walking tour and picnic will take place on Sunday 26 November from 12pm. The meeting spot will be the car park located on Spencer Street.