Professional landscaper Tara Ceccato is adamant the Community Gardens have been all but ignored by maintenance and management, as graffiti and vandalism has been on the rise.
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Although she believes council has been doing a good job in developing City Park which lies on the other side of the canal, Ms Ceccato believes council needs to plant more intelligently and make better use of the canal for the community gardens.
The lapses in maintenance have occurred despite council having received $878,000 from the NSW Government in October to build a community stage and new amenities block there.
The funding was part of a $1.7 million grant as part of the Stronger Country Communities Fund, the other half of which has gone to the development of new amenities and change rooms at Jubilee Park.
Ms Ceccato is the granddaughter of the late and much loved Nora Ceccato who was instrumental in establishing the gardens, as well as having helped to bring about Griffith's Festival of Gardens and Griffith Spring Fest events.
With Nora's contribution to the Community Gardens being commemorated through a plaque and olive tree which were laid in 2015, Ms Ceccato said she is saddened to see the current state of the gardens.
"Money is a poor excuse it comes down to maintenance and management, these jobs already have allocated to, the job just needs to be done properly and efficiently," Ms Ceccato said.
While she has not yet raised her concerns with council, Ms Ceccato said she would also like to see the community being engaged, especially young people.
As an agricultural city, Ms Ceccato said Griffith needs to have more pride and passion in its gardens.
"We are fortunate to have our main canal running through the town," Ms Ceccato said.
"We need to utilize this feature whether it's with bike tracks running along side and potentially in the future having facilities such as canoe hiring and cafes."
Council operations director Phil King said "the Community Gardens are currently maintained in accordance with council's maintenance schedule."
"Staff have recently inspected the area and have not identified any need for additional maintenance," Mr King said.
"Council has not received any complaints regarding the condition of Community Gardens."
