How a community picnic sparked lasting change

For inhousing tenant Mark (pictured above), a trip across the road to Spencer Street Reserve wasn't always easy.

As a wheelchair user, something as simple as spending time with neighbours at the local park meant navigating awkward gate latches, a rough gravel pathway and a lack of seating or shelter. Today, that's changed.

Following a collaborative effort between local residents, inhousing and Campbelltown City Council, Spencer Street Reserve has been transformed into a more accessible community space. Campbelltown City Council delivered a range of accessibility upgrades, including a paved pathway connecting Spencer Street and Drysdale Crescent, accessible gate latches and an undercover shelter, while inhousing funded the accessible barbecue.

The project began four years ago when inhousing tenant Kelly organised a community Christmas picnic at the reserve, bringing neighbours together to celebrate the festive season and get to know one another.

While the event was a success, it also highlighted just how difficult the reserve was for wheelchair users like Mark to access.

After hearing from Kelly's dad, Andrew, about the barriers people had experienced at the picnic, and that earlier approaches to council hadn't led to any changes, inhousing Tenancy and Property Coordinator Michelle Mahon saw an opportunity to help.

Knowing several inhousing tenants lived nearby, and drawing on an existing relationship with Campbelltown City Council, Michelle brought the right people together to explore how the reserve could become more accessible.

She organised a meeting at the reserve with Mark and council staff, where they walked through the park together and discussed a wish list of improvements based on Mark's own experiences. By combining Mark's perspective, Michelle's advocacy and the council's willingness to listen, the project gathered momentum.

The collaboration has continued throughout the project, with other inhousing tenants also providing feedback to the council to help improve accessibility.

As a member of Campbelltown City Council's Disability Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee, Mark was pleased to contribute his perspective.

"You need to be in a wheelchair to know what it's like," Mark said.

"Having the perspective of people with disability is important because we understand the everyday barriers that other people might not notice."

Mark said seeing the community's ideas become reality had been incredibly rewarding.

"The council has done a great thing by improving the pathway, the gates and putting in a barbecue and shelter," he said.

"You don't often see barbecues in small parks, and it's going to get used. Now when family or friends come over in summer, we can just head across the road."

The improvements are especially meaningful because Mark loves where he lives.

After years of living in housing that wasn't suitable for his needs, he moved into his inhousing home five years ago.

"When I first came to see the property, it gave me goosebumps," he said.

"Even now, when I come home after being out, I still get goosebumps. It's accessible, it's quiet and it's home."

Kelly sadly passed away before the improvements were completed, making the finished reserve especially meaningful for those who helped bring the project to life.

"I think Kelly would have been rapt to see it all happen," Mark said.

Mark hopes the project encourages others to speak up when they see opportunities to make their communities more accessible.

"Be persistent. Ask the questions and find out who you need to speak to," he said.

"It doesn't cost anything to ask. If there's a real need, you've got to start somewhere."