Residents already love and care for this garden set out over 100 years ago in what used to be part of the garden of Valentines Mansion.
Would you like to help? We are planning to repaint the railings and gate, as well as replant the perimeter beds to give the garden all-round colour for the enjoyment of residents, passers-by and visitors.
Wouldn’t it be lovely to make the garden more inviting for shared community events?
We’d love to hear your ideas for encouraging and learning about London wildlife, such as a Butterfly Count or setting up a bug hotel in the heart of the garden. The aim is to restore and maintain the historic charm of this gated garden; enhance its beauty with colourful planting, regular cleaning and pruning; celebrate and share each other’s cultures, starting with planting a Christmas tree to decorate each year; preserve and encourage learning about a tiny “green jungle” for London wildlife in this urban space; organise events to bring the community together.
What we'll deliver:
- Repaint the railings and gate
- Redesign the perimeter beds
- Maintain the new planting in the perimeter beds
- Encourage wildlife to flourish
- Organise family-friendly events
- Keep the garden tidy
Why it's a great idea:
A focal point
The Square Garden will provide a meeting point for local families and individuals to have a sense of shared purpose, either through volunteering or enjoying social and cultural experiences. Maintaining the garden regularly will deter anti-social behaviour. Pride in our local area will be encouraged as will a sense of shared responsibility. Visitors to the award-winning Valentines Park often pass by The Square Garden and its restoration will complement the beauty of the area. We fully expect to develop all sorts of exciting ideas for the future suggested by any member of the community. We hope to encourage volunteering and a sense of us all having a stake in something for the future. We are fortunate to have this “oasis” for wildlife with such a well-developed natural landscape at its heart.
Steps to get it done:
- Agree plan for which plants to remove
- Arrange removal of garden refuse
- Recruit volunteers
- Put up a sign to explain what is happening
- Choose contractors and volunteers
- Contact the London Wildlife Trust for ideas and information
- Schedule COVID safe shifts to complete clearance and preparation work
- Contractors and volunteers clear perimeter beds of old roses and other identified plants
- Rub down the iron railings
- Repair the gate
- Draw up plan of what replacement shrubs are to be planted where
- Dig out topsoil where shrub roses are to be planted
- Install a small ramp to make the garden accessible
- Order new shrubs
- Order a bug hotel and any garden “furniture”
- Schedule COVID safe shifts to complete re-painting railings and gate
- Schedule COVID safe shifts to complete planting work
- Plant new shrubs
- Create plans for events
- Promote new activities
Would you like to find out more about the heritage aspect of this garden and the connection to Valentines Mansion?
