The idea
Within Ray Park there is an octagonal 18th century walled garden with little public access. Inside is a wild natural habitat, but some areas have become overgrown which will impact on the site's heritage value. Woodford Greeners is now looking to raise funds to restore a small section of land to create a community garden with help from local volunteers.
Our plans are to start by clearing a small area, then install a standpipe and irrigation hoses so we have a regular water supply. The area will include a medicinal garden as well as a growing patch of colourful perennial flowers which will be grown from seed and when full, moved to public planters around the neighbourhood. We will also erect a timber pergola-style gazebo to provide a sheltered area so that throughout the summer we can hold regular workshops in gardening, arts & crafts and food growing.
With your help, our local volunteers can come together to create a small area of natural beauty that the whole community can enjoy.
What we'll deliver
- Create a medicinal garden
- Install a standpipe and irrigation hoses
- Erect and install a timber gazebo
Why it's a great idea
Our project will help to bring to life an unused area of the park and make it more accessible to the public. It also presents a wonderful volunteering opportunity for local residents in Woodford Green to come together to learn about gardening, forge friendships and be physically active outdoors.
All the perennial flowers when fully grown will be transferred to public planters in the community including in the high street, along residential roads and around local schools. The new gazebo will provide an invaluable space for workshops enabling more local people and Redbridge residents to get involved and learn new skills.
Steps to get it done
- Buy gardening tools & purchase gazebo
- Clear area of weeds and poisonous plants, lay compost and level out ground for planting
- Contractor digs trench to water main and installs standpipe
- Contractor digs holes gazebo legs and adds postcrete
- Contractor assembles and installs gazebo
- Strong box tool storage placed on site
- Collect donated seeds and seedlings from volunteers
- Volunteer gardeners plant up growing patch for perennials
- Clearing and seeding of medicinal garden area
- Supervised access to public begins with workshop programme in early Spring
