Trees in Katanning’s Piesse Park receive knitted love from local community members in colourful art project

Patterns and colours galore now greet visitors to Katanning’s Piesse Park after it received a winter makeover. Friends of Piesse Park have covered the trunks of trees surrounding the Katanning Eco Cafe and Ice Creamery with vibrantly coloured tree warmers. The practice is known as yarn bombing and is an alternative form of street art. “Bev (Lockley) had seen some trees with a similar concept on Arbour Street and she thought it would be a good thing to do at the park,” Friends of Piesse Park member Lesley Balinski said. Friends of Piesse Park members then amassed donated products, including old knitted blankets, crocheted blankets, wool and unused fabric squares to create the first installations. They were wrapped around six trees close to the Lakeside Eco Cafe and Ice Creamery on the weekend of June 11 and 12. A busy bee was held at the venue on Sunday to add to the collection. Ms Balinski said she hoped the project would add “a bit of colour” to the park and bring the community together. “Everyone can put a bit into it,” she said. “It is about giving them a sense of ownership with what we’re creating.” Ms Balinski said it was also another way “put fun” into Katanning’s main street. “It is about having something of interest when people are driving down the street,” she said. “With so much going on in the world right now, it is great to have something nice and joyous.” More pieces are planned in the coming weeks, with the yarn bombing to spread from the Lakeside Eco Centre to the nearby pedestrian bridge and eventually around the entire park. Anyone who wants to contribute will be able to use the wool and crochet hooks available at the Lakeside Eco Cafe. Donations are also welcome. For more information, visit Katanning’s Piesse Park Community on Facebook.