We all want more green spaces…
Here’s quite a radical approach to funding and local decision-making – but it’s resulted in some fabulous new ‘green spaces’ – as reported in yesterday’s Observer:
Money to grow: radical policy helps UK communities green their own spaces
‘Participatory budgets’ such as one project in east London are revitalising areas and improving accessibility
Children of all ages hang out at the seating area. One group of teenagers from a local school call the sunny bench between two planters their “chill spot”. One family sits out on a shady seat with the baby on warm evenings. People eat their lunch on the benches. Chosen and installed by the local community, the planters are a tiny but thrilling example of what can be done with a quietly radical policy that is being tried by a few councils…
In Newham, one project turned a previously unloved cut-through to a railway footbridge into an enchanted woodland walk. Food growing and tree planting also featured. Manor Park community garden was awarded £20,000 to revitalise the space, in a former car park, and improve accessibility.
Rosie Whicheloe, one of the trustees for the garden, says: “I think what Newham has done is made it possible for people to get involved and make decisions about what happens locally, but they also created a network of people pushing for more of it. I’ve really appreciated being involved and meeting everyone, particularly after Covid. Community gardens are quite different from parks, they help bring people together and share skills. There are people who lived on the same street for 20 years and never met until the garden.”
A growing body of research shows the advantages of green space, and the ways in which people crave more of it. A study published last week by the University of Glasgow found an increase of 10% in gardens and “natural space” such as woodland reduces early death among over-65s by 7%.
Here’s much more:
A space for everyone
Everyone is welcome to the garden. In the heart of Manor Park, it has been built, planted and cared for by those who live, work and visit the area.
