Merriwa Park - Harvested Timber Use

Some garden furniture for Christopher Robin Kinder would be great (e.g. small benches for waiting for the swing).

Also, something similar to The White Oak in Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens would be spectacular. It makes a great adventure play space for kids and is a destination in itself.

Along with suggestions of large feature items to be placed in public places.
I would like to suggest that some smaller items get made by local craftsmen
For example a piece of furniture that could get placed in one of the communal areas of St Catherines Aged Care facility across the road from Merriwa Park. Many residents live there that may not get to the park as much as they like any more...they may appreciate seeing wood used in a beautiful way, especially if it can have a small plaque attached identifying where the wood came from.

I would like to see a public sculpture in the tradition of the Hans Knorr sculpture in the Council Chambers. Such a sculpture could also be placed on public view in the council building.

I would also like smaller pieces of the timber given to local wood craftsman to make high quality items that local people can purchase and cherish in their homes. Such as the creations of the local wood turners
and the beautiful items made by
www.warbywood.com.au

The construction of an artistically designed rough-sawn, bush style rotunda inspired by the traditional park rotunda would serve the people and park well.

Not sure if my last response went through so apologies if there is a double up.
I suggest the construction of a rotunda, perhaps with rough sawn timber, artistically inspired, and in the tradition of the early rotunda.

A wooden sculpture inspired by the shape, flow and elevation of the rivers surrounding Wangaratta, creating a large scale sculpture that is also able to be used as a playful monument that kids can use as entertainment. I’m from Wangaratta and have always loved the connection to the country and land that is represented in this town so an artwork that further showcase this beautiful town would be lovely.

Play equipment for the council children’s services like a forte or something a bit more engaging for the kindergarten children to climb. Or a Fairy garden table and chairs, woodwork table. Lots of ideas. Something musical.
Wangaratta

Our very own residential rehabilitation centre on Greta Rd would benefit from timber that could be used by residents as part of their recovery program. Furniture, wood working, etc.. a local service supporting our local people in need.

We have an amazing local chainsaw artist who grew up in Carboor, Tony Box. I would love to see him commissioned to create beautiful art with the stumps that can stay where they grew as a reminder of the trees that once stood there. Please stop commissioning external artists over those who were raised locally. This is one of the reasons we have lost skills and talent from the region, there is not enough support for them to grow and thrive here.

The tops of the trees should remain within public spaces as practical conversation pieces. Perhaps new seating alongside the arenas or by the oval at Oxley Recreation Reserve for spectators. Or to enhance play spaces in our rural communities.

There is a disability group called Cre8 ran by VMCH in Wangaratta. At this program clients build park benches, tables and heaps more stuff with generous donations from the community. Donating the wood to VMCH Cre8 program to make park benches would be an amazing idea!

Leave them in the ground and turn stumps at various levels into chainsaw art

Timber Rotundas for the park and Wangaratta Cemetery

Create a Nature Playground/ climbing structure from the timber, alternatively seats carved from within the trunks themselves and put in the park

Park bench seats, or even playground equipment!
Wangaratta

Some art :woodworking art be great :

Perhaps coppice them so they continue doing their great work removing water from the park, and the removed timber could be used for benches and infrastructure in Kaluna.

The trees are providing critical habitat for native species. It takes 70-100 years for natural hollows to form. Cutting down the trees will remove this habitat. The best use of the main truck of the trees is for habitat hollows. Natural hollows and artificial hollows can be put back into natural areas lacking large trees. The smaller branches can be used for woodie debri on the ground to support ground animals and enhance ecosystem function. This would support ecological restoration for greater functional resilience in the landscape essential for sustainable agriculture under climate change.

Park bench seats that show the natural colours of the wood.

Given that it's already wildlife habitat (yes wildlife are actually using it) it should be reused for this purpose. Over recent years we've lost so much habitat due to illegal clearing on both private and public land. Our wildlife and biodiversity is in free-fall. I understand many would prefer it for human purposes, but how much is enough?

If there are three big trees, is there enough wood to create all three ideas. Bench seats as there is nothing more enjoyable than sitting on actual wood rather than metal which is incredibly hot in summer.
An outdoor nature adventure playground with shade and an art installation would be awesome. The bench seat incorporating a stone in the Mitchell Ave children's garden is beautiful. More of these please and the Hans Knorr sculpture outside the council building is also a beautiful example of history in the town using timber.

Would love to see it used in all different formats of public art from sculpture, natural forms ( like the one outside of the council chambers), thin rings as so local artists can use them as canvases then have an exhibition of them in the WAG.