Saturday’s National Science Week event at the Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens - Gondwana Garden Family Day – has exceeded all expectations, well before it has even begun.
And the Mt Tomah folk are recommending visitors check their Facebook page before they leave home, in case the popularity has led to overcrowding.
The free family event has already attracted the interest of hundreds of parents and local residents via social media.
“Almost as soon as Gondwana Garden Family Day was posted on Facebook, word started to spread through Sydney and the local community about the great new free event,” said Lisa Grieve, Visitor Experience Manager at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah.
The day runs from 11am-3pm and includes behind-the-scenes nursery tours, scientists and their moss, fern and Wollemi pine displays, Australian Museum and Children’s Discovery Museum stalls and make your own fossil and adventure trail activities.
It’s the first time Science Week has come to Mt Tomah, to celebrate its 30th birthday year.
Ms Grieve said while the response has been enthusiastic, ”it has also raised a red flag for us as organisers to prepare for potential overcrowding and traffic problems – should they occur”.
In response to the anticipated crowds, Mt Tomah will have additional ranger staff on the ground and a formal plan has been developed to ensure cars are parked safely and efficiently.
Traffic flow will be monitored throughout the day and once capacity has been reached, vehicles may be turned around. Entry is not guaranteed and the event is expected to reach capacity within the first few hours after kick-off at 11am.
“If there is one key message, it is to remember to check our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/bluemountainsbotanicgarden/, before leaving home, to plan ahead and avoid disappointment,” Ms Grieve said.
The extraordinary response to the Gondwana Garden Family Day event and the increase in overall visitation will be considered in future planning for the Garden.
The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah will continue to liaise with the local community and local and state governments, to determine how best to meet the growing pressure on green spaces and continue to offer high quality, accessible community events.