The idea
This is an unique project in the UK.
Beside the obvious scope of bringing together the residents by offering a space suitable for children play, organising treasure hunts, harvest day, etc, it could potentially become a tourist attraction, helping a struggling community hit hard by the local council cuts to thrive.
Already with two litter-picking events (a third one is on the way on the 11th of March), together with a handful of people, we managed to transform what used to be called "the tip" amongst the residents into a beautiful community space, where people come for a picnic rather than to dump their rubbish.
This is also democracy at its best - at the last event, local residents have voted for the best way to improve the park and building a berry maze was almost unanimously chosen. Bristol Parks have agreed to the idea, so now it has come to the point where we need to gather funds for the project.
What we'll deliver
- Plough & prepare the area for planting
- Erect the structure - poles, wires, planters
- Lay paths with ornamental bark
- Paint the concrete slab in the middle
- Plant the various berries
- Put the beaches on the slab in the middle of the maze
Why it's a great idea
- builds the community
- creates a beautiful place instead of an eyesore
- helps the fauna by providing shelter and food to birds and insects in an area heavily affected by building
- provides a lovely space for children to play and learn about nature
- helps children from the local schools to get hands on experience by helping with the maze's maintenance
- increases volunteering opportunities, not only during the building of the maze, but also permanently, as monthly maintenance is needed
- it's an unique project in the UK
Steps to get it done
- Buying all the materials for the maze structure
- Buying the materials for painting the center of the maze & the benches
- Buying the plants
- Preparing the land for planting
- Erecting the structure
- Grand Opening!
- Painting, placing the benches and laying the materials for the paths
- Planting
The park is situated in a disadvantaged area of the city, where many people survive on benefits and there is very little community involvement. There is a lot of antisocial behaviour too.
We all know that people are less prone to litter when a space is clean (we have had the proof of that in our experience of cleaning the park). Similarly, when a place is beautiful and well kempt, people tend to treat it better and are more likely to be inspired to do good things. We are a small group, but our dreams are big.
