The Max Whitteron Reflective Garden is named in honour of a former Cootamundra Shire engineer who gave more than 20 years of dedicated service, with his greatest love being parks and gardens.

The pool looks magnificent with a small fountain at one end, waterfall at the other, water lilies and fish swimming contentedly around.

It is now surrounded for a good part of its perimeter with a new garden of ornamental rocks, colourful flowers and shrubs, where there was previously only lawn.

"It's been brought back to very similar to what it was when it was created," said council's manager of waste, parks and recreation services, Wayne Bennett.

"It's part of the whole CBD refurbishment we're doing, but had a high priority because it was a remembrance garden not in the best of shape, and so reflected poorly on Max Whitteron's memory," he said.

"When we got into it we found the pumps and filtration system weren't working and the pond was leaking, so to do it properly we put in a new pump and filtration system, and resealed and refurbished the pond, cleaning it out and adding new plant life for the fish.

"Hopefully it now reflects the importance of Max and his contribution to the town.

"The pool had to be completely resurfaced and a new garden area put in. The garden was originally there but must have been replaced by grass over the years."

Mr Bennett said children "just loved" coming there and enjoying the atmosphere.

Mr Whitteron, who died of brain cancer in 2003 at the age of 57, was shire engineer from 1981 until his retirement in 2002.

The plaque at the pool says that over his years in Cootamundra "Max gave enormous amounts of his own time to Council projects and community organisations.

"He especially loved the parks and gardens of Cootamundra Shire and carried out his responsibilities with great dedication.

"Max truly loved Cootamundra and the people that made this town home. He is greatly missed by all who knew him."

The garden was opened in November 2005 by Margaret Whitteron, his wife, in the company of his daughters Emma, Sarah and Jane and other members of his family.

Jenny Roberts recalls that as parents Mr and Mrs Whitteron used to accompany CADAS Kids on their week-long trips to Melbourne, and that he played a central role in the "Milestones" project, which saw sculptures put up at Five Roads in Cootamundra and at the Wallendbeen crossroads, celebrating the region's wheatgrowing.