The Morland Growing Community project is led by the community and spearheaded by the Morland Estate Tenants and Residents Association (TRA) and involves extensive consultation with all the people who live on the estate. Extensive consultation with residents has started by asking for their ideas for a new multi-purpose community space. Residents have also been asked for their views on features in an initial outline design, which will be adapted to incorporate residents' feedback, to ensure that the revitalised area incorporates the needs of everyone on the estate. The planting and construction of the space will be completed by community volunteers working together to invest in their own estate. The delivery of the project will be overseen by Trees for Cities (TfC). Once complete, residents will use the garden to grow fruit and vegetables, socialise and hold community events, while children will be better connected with nature through a new natural play area.
What we'll deliver:
- • Build and plant raised beds for Community Garden
- • Create a natural play area that connects children with nature
- • Engage estate residents in rewarding volunteering work to help deliver the project
- • Engage London-based corporate volunteers to help with the project work
- • Plant a community orchard of 10 fruit trees
Why it's a great idea:
The Morlands Growing Community project is a resident-led initiative with real potential to transform the estate’s physical and social heart. The estate has a highly diverse make up of different nationalities and there are a significant number of older people on the estate, many of whom live alone. This project would be a fantastic way of promoting social interaction between different cultures and integrating isolated and hard-to-reach groups. When more people are using a space there is also less potential for crime and anti-social behaviour.- a problem that has previously affected the Morland.
Hackney has less space devoted to gardens and green space than the rest of London, making it imperative that people are encouraged to use existing green spaces in the area. This project would revitalise the under-used and under-appreciated outdoor space of the estate.
Steps to get it done:
- • All planting and landscaping work will be overseen by TfC staff and horticultural trainees
- • TfC will undertake planting and any other landscape works from Oct 13– March 15
- • The construction and planting will be assisted by local volunteers
- • The majority of the tree planting will be completed during the community planting day
TfC has a formal partnership agreement with landowner Hackney Homes, which fully supports and is contributing financially to ensure the project goes ahead and is successful. TfC has 20 years’ experience delivering successful community-centred greening projects in London. TfC will maintain the trees for three years. However, residents will have full control over growing and harvesting fruit and vegetables. Residents will decide between them what to plant and how the food planted will be managed. The TRA also plans for residents to share responsibility for maintenance with formal horticultural training for residents by enrolling them on TfC’s City and Guilds-accredited course in work-based horticulture. This would be subject to availability of funding and finding the right resident(s) to enrol.
