A $2.5-million shared path and artwork trail will be officially opened at Altona North on National Tree Day.
Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek are inviting the community to a gala celebration marking the opening of Toyota Way, where 2300 indigenous trees and shrubs will be planted.
Giant sculptures funded by Toyota and created by renowned Brooklyn artist Geoffrey Ricardo will be unveiled on the day.
Titled A strange trail of beasts, spirits and guardians, it features eight figures, each about 3metres tall, spaced along 7.5 kilometres of the trail.
Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek president Geoff Mitchelmore, who will launch his book about the group’s work at the event, said his dream of creating a walking and cycling link between Altona and the CBD had been realised. “All our efforts have come to fruition,” he said.
“The goals that we set in 2001 – to establish a pathway from Cherry Lake to link into the Federation Trail – will happen.
“The other goal was to green the corridor and we’ve greened as much as we can.
“This Sunday is the culmination of 17 years of hard work by a very enthusiastic friends group.
“The Toyota Way, as they are calling it, and the artwork trail will be a fantastic drawcard for people to come and visit Hobsons Bay.”
The celebration is on July 30 from 10am-2pm at Urban Forest West/Hosken Reserve, Blackshaws Road near junction with Grieve Parade, Altona North (Melway Map 40 H12).
