The idea
In the Transform Your Space 2 initiative launched by Ealing Council, Friars Gardens (the public open space between Friars Way and St Dunstan's Ave) has been awarded £45,000 to make this space more inclusive and accessible. To fulfil the criteria of the TYS2 scheme, the garden project must still raise match-funding of £1,217 from the community to qualify. Please will you pledge? Your funding will add to the council's award to provide new trees and refreshed planting, a community flower garden, a mini meadow and orchard, plus naturalistic play features for children such as stepping stones and boulders. Visitors will enjoy improved access with an easy-close pedestrian entrance gate on the northern side and a replacement maintenance gate as well as a new pedestrian gate on the south-eastern side. A path to enable walking will connect the two entrances. New benches and bins will also be provided.The green can continue to be used by those exercising their dogs.
What we'll deliver
- Care for the community flower garden utilising the Friends of Friars Gardens support network.
- Consult residents to find out what community event is most appropriate for this green.
- Refresh the planting in the garden as a whole with easy-care specimen shrubs and climbers for the fences.
- Replace the existing unwieldy utility gate with a new fit-for-purpose gate for the council's lawn mower.
- Use Friends of Friars Garden support network to keep watch over the green and encourage community-spirited behaviour.
- Add eight small orchard trees on the north-west side to create a mini-orchard.
- Add naturalistic children's play features such as stepping stones and boulders.
- Build raised beds for the community garden as a centrepiece of this space.
- Create a Hoggin pathway that will link the two entrances and allow people a mud-free stroll even in winter.
- Improve public access with a new easy-open pedestrian gate on the north side and at the south-east side.
- Plant a new tree and mini meadow with bulbs at the southern tip of the triangular green.
- Plant two new trees on the empty corner at the north-western tip of the green.
- Represent residents should any threat arise from keeping the green a tranquil green space.
Why it's a great idea
With the development of many areas of Acton and ever higher-density living a reality of city life, our traditional neighbourhoods are increasingly urban and under pressure. Many front gardens have been paved over and, as highlighted in a campaign by the RHS, green space is dangerously under threat. Birds and bees have lost natural habitats, but so have the people. It is more important than ever to preserve the open spaces we do have and improve their quality to make them work better for the community. Friars Gardens, one of three triangular greens in the area, is an open space that some local people currently feel excluded from. A re-imagined Friars Garden would encourage more community interaction and this particular space - with a fence and its central location - has great potential as a meeting point and a restful haven for all. With improved paths and gates, the garden would also be - very importantly - accessible for less-able-bodied people.
Steps to get it done
- Organise community gardening in the Flower Garden with volunteers from Friends of Friars Gardens support network.
What we've done already:
* Presented this proposal to Acton Central Ward Forum on 27 May 2015 and put A5 flyers through doors and on noticeboards.
* Established an informal neighbourhood group Friends of Friars Gardens.
* Met with Ealing Council for Voluntary Services to take advice on setting up as a formally constituted group (FOFGA).
* Group of 7 residents presented this TYS2 proposal on Saturday 30 January 2016 to Leader of the Council Julian Bell, the Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, Bassam Mahfouz, and 4 other officers.
* On 9 February 2016, announced as successful project in the TYS2 initiative, winning council support of £45,000.
* Our story on front page of CCA newsletter - Winter 2016 - and on ActonW3.com website.
* Distributed Residents Survey in March 2016 to all properties overlooking the green.
* Our story in 'Around Ealing' magazine in Summer 2016 issue.
* First general meeting held on 12 February 2017 with Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer elected.
