Yarnbombing for mental health

Friends of Cruikshank Park Peter, Cassie, Lola, Lee, Maree and Dave. (Joe Mastroianni) 252495_01

Trees have been yarnbombed in Yarraville’s Cruickshank Park for mental health awareness.

The initiative is part of the Blue Tree Project and marks World Mental Health Day on October 10.

Yarraville’s Lola Anderson, who remembers the first trees being planted in the park in 1979, said the urban oasis had been a saviour for many, especially in lockdown.

“The people who have been using Cruickshank Park have said to me, if it wasn’t for this park … the stress that we’ve been able to handle is because of this Cruickshank Park,” she said.

“They said this park has been just an absolute godsend to them and they just feel if they didn’t that they wouldn’t have got through what they’re going through now.

“This park is unbelievable at the weekends and on nice days. Everybody loves it and that has saved them a lot of stress.

“They come down here to Cruickshank Park and they can just relax. There’s just such a lovely atmosphere in the park that they just completely relax.”

People are being invited to add something blue to the trees.

“I want it to be a community thing,” Ms Anderson said.

“That will stay for a whole month or even more.

“This park has saved so many people. I didn’t realise how important that park has been.

“It just fills me all up. I get quite emotional about it.”