GROUNDWORK CASE STUDY
MIRFIELD ROAD COMMUNITY GARDEN ACHIEVED OUTCOMES ff Core Outcome 1 Boundary treatment - 2m high weld mesh fence installed along with a double-leaf gate to act as the main public access to site. The gate is locked each night and opened by a member of the gardening club in the morning ff Core Outcome 2 Community Planting Plots - raised timber planters were constructed to grow vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers. This promoted local community ownership, promote healthy eating, and give horticultural education to the wider community ff Core Outcome 3 Grassed meadow area - perimeter of the site grass seeded and bulbs planted, allowing for habitat creation, to attract native fauna species and increase biodiversity in an urban environment. In the longer term, it will give local schools an opportunity to be involved ff Core Outcome 4 Feature sensory areas - provided for those who may be unable to participate in planting, instead can sit and relax in a prospering environment. Senses are stimulated with aesthetic, flavoursome, textured and scented planting ff Core Outcome 5 Pergola with waterproof roof - providing a seating area with shade and shelter from inclement weather. The surface was also made of rolled sandstone to give paths an aesthetic yet functional surface
ff RESIDENTS WANTED TO TRANSFORM A FORMER DERELICT GARAGE COLONY INTO AN ACTIVE AREA, WHERE LOCAL RESIDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY COULD GROW, PRODUCE, LEARN NEW SKILLS AND GET INVOLVED IN THEIR LOCAL AREA
LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Groundwork MSSTT Timber Wharf 42 - 50 Worsley Street Castlefield Manchester M15 4LD Telephone 0161 220 1000 www.groundwork.org.uk/msstt
GROUNDWORK CASE STUDY PROJECT SUMMARY ff Objective 1 The former disused garage site had no management and was not being utilised by the local community. Residents from the surrounding properties came together in August 2006 to form the Mirfield Road Community Gardening Club. The group, made up of 8 key residents, wanted to turn the site into a place that the local community could use for planting, events and socialising. They consulted with local residents, organised clean-up date and held a community Bonfire Night in October 2008 to clear the site. ff Objective 2 Residents had specific ideas about how it could be best utilised for the local community. They submitted an application to Community Spaces for £50,000 of funding from the Big Lottery Fund. The group were successful in their bid and were able to thoroughly redesign the space.
“I watched the land become more and more untended and I was determined to do something about it. But I never thought we could make the project work so quickly - it just shows how a community working together can make progress” Marina Teat (Secetary - Mirfield Rd Gardening Club)
ff Objective 3 The garden provides social areas for the community to sit, chat and benefit from the work they put into the site, providing a venue for community events. Raised grassed areas with garden benches, located adjacent to the vegetable plots and the communal pergola have 2 picnic benches. There is also a sensory with citrus and herb plants with framed views to the vegetable plots.
PARTNERS
For more information contact: Mark Knight Landscape Manager 0161 220 1032 mark.knight@groundwork.org.uk