THE Picnic in Your Park celebration planned for October 26 by the Hill Top Community Association Inc (HTCA) is the result of 18 months of planning, co-operation and hard work.
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It all began when the HTCA joined with the Rail Transport Museum (RTM) to clear more than 10 tonnes of broken glass from the old railway line - a project reported in the Highlands Post as Residents empty 'Hill Top Hotel' on May 9, 2013.
After Clean Up Australia Day last year, HTCA members realised the rubbish could not be removed without the help of heavy machinery, as it was too dangerous to be done by hand and the project was born.
HTCA member Jim Heather said the tonnes of broken bottles equated to about 80,000 stubbies, accumulated over about 20 years.
He said further working bees were held to remove large scotch broom trees and snip and mow on and alongside the old rail line.
"This allowed the Wingecarribee Shire Council's parks crew to level the entire park area and remove two very dangerous old pines. Council mowing is now possible very close to the old line," he said.
"Further improvements were then made by the council. Not only did they tar-seal the adjacent parking area, but they installed new picnic tables and benches.
"When the major work on the installation of the new accessible bus shelters and accompanying road work was completed, a row of eight mature flowering ash trees were planted in the park along West Parade."
Mr Heather said the finished work was a transformation.
To celebrate this transformation the picnic celebrations will include games, a jumping castle, music, giveaways for the kids and much more.
All food and drink will be sold at cost. There will be a multi-prize raffle consisting of a large toy hamper and vouchers supplied by Hill Top and Mittagong businesses. Everyone is invited to join with the HTCA, the RTA and the council to make this a fun day.