Mary River Walk spruced up

Brisbane siblings Elena and Michael Constanti were surprised to stumble on the Mary River Walk yesterday when they stopped in Gympie for a break during their trip back home from a holiday up north.

Renee Pilcher

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HIDDEN away within Gympie's city limits lies a significant tourism asset waiting to be utilised.

The Mary River Walk has been cleared of flood debris and is now more walker-friendly with a number of improvements made by the Green Army.

Removal of weed trees from the river bank has also opened up the view of the beautiful Mary River from the walk, which can be accessed from a number of locations.

Stretching from behind the touch football oval to behind the netball courts, the Mary River Walk is a perfect example of how temporary structures can help create usable public spaces.

Stairs have been dug into the earth where an original cement structure was washed away, while seats and a viewing space have been cut into the river bank, to create an interesting and relaxing walk by the side of one of Gympie's greatest, yet under-utilised assets.

And it's all thanks to the nous of 20 of Gympie's long-term unemployed who have formed the Green Army for the Flood Recovery project.

Participants partnered with council workers in the extensive cleanup of the river walk as well as public parks and recreation areas damaged by flooding earlier this year.

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