by Ashlyn Van Gramberg
Garvey Park, a tranquil stretch of natural bushland alongside the Swan River at Ascot, is being used to benefit the community in ways you wouldn’t normally imagine.
Known as the most popular park in The City of Belmont, Garvey Park has attracted many of Perth’s more outgoing and adventurous residents.
While it may seem like the perfect place to walk your dog, have a picnic or bring your kids for a play, a younger generation of park users appear to think differently.
Caris Morris changed up the idea of a Hens’ night, and turned it into a Hens’ day for her pre-wedding celebrations.
Instead of ‘getting down and dirty’ in a night club, they thought it would be funny to literally get down and dirty at Garvey Park complete with obstacles, mud, dirt and a whole lot of staring!
“We went through a company called Wild Goose Chase. They specialise in events for adventurous groups of people,” Caris says.
Caris Morris, showing some of the natural obstacles used on her Hens’ day.
The 27 year old says most people choose to do cruises up the Swan River.
She found the idea of using Garvey Park was a bonus and she and her friends could be near the river be active.
“We wanted an area that had a variety of terrain and environments, that would allow us to be loud, get muddy and wet, and have plenty of space without bothering anyone else,” she says.
Although ‘being loud’ may be okay for some people, others prefer the peacefulness of the park instead.
Kate Goeree, a mother of two, says she has been going to Garvey Park for years with her husband to have a break from being inside all day.
Garvey Park by the Swan River.
Photo by: Ashlyn Van Gramberg
“We love to sit on a bench by the river and just enjoy each other’s company. It’s such a community-friendly place. Everyone takes their kids there and they’re able to ride their bikes along the trail,” says Kate.
“I’d prefer if people were respectful to others’ space. It is a community-based park to some extent, but a lot of us ‘oldies’ enjoy the quietness,” she says.
Although Garvey Park is popular with locals, it rarely attracts tourists.
However, over the years the park has grown to attract more active and adventurous people, something new to the community.