Manor Park Community Garden
From "Manor Park"
Go to the project
What: Manor Park's Community Garden has been a lively community space for the last three years, but its lease just came to an end. Work with local residents to identify potential ways forward to keep this space as an inclusive community asset and activate it for gardening, meeting, and play.
Where: Old Garage Site, Manor Park
Comments(10)
Commenting is not possible because this project is currently not active.
Most recent comments have loaded.
Profile of annette fry
Posted by:annette fry
5 years ago
I do seem to remember that at the time the garden was created there was the possibility of taking on the area that is now used for parking. I can't remember why this didn't happen. Perhaps someone else can.
Profile of annette fry
Posted by:annette fry
5 years ago
It was very much a community project at the beginning of its life. Many people were involved in the planning. However, one of the big issues was whether it should be open and accessible to people most of the time. Unfortunately, there were alot of fears coming from a few people about this, and finally that approach won out. At that time I visited community gardens all over London. Many were more openly shared and available for people to sit in during the day, or to hold groups in. Many had wonderful 'green environmental' buildings put in them, some held cafe's, some community buildings. The variety and possibility was and still is enormous. I really don't think it would require a paid worker to get that going, just some meetings publicised to the whole of the local community which raised all the issues and ideas. It would be like going back to the beginning, starting again. Then if it could begin to run more inclusively well, time to think again.
Profile of Rachel Stevenson
Posted by:Rachel Stevenson
5 years ago
I hadn't even heard of MP Community Garden! Improving it would obviously be a boon to the neighbourhood.
Profile of Sally Medcalf
Posted by:Sally Medcalf
5 years ago
General comment for all sites - could a map be included to show the location of the sites please ?
Profile of Jenny Duval
Posted by:Jenny Duval
5 years ago
@Sally Medcalf Here is a google link to it. Postcode E12 5AX. Just next to Post Office sorting office by Manor Park Station.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Manor+Park+Rd,+Manor+Park,+London+E12+5AT/@51.5518,0.0456042,3a,75y,111.18h,81.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s8vkYFwt46yyycp5g1EIgfw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m5!3m4!1s0x47d8a7acba187083:0x40836ecc25b7b7ae!8m2!3d51.5509823!4d0.0460852
Profile of Nick P
Posted by:Nick P
5 years ago
What's a shame is that from the outside it's hardly visible at all and it's easy to walk past without noticing it. The thick wooden fence hides the plants away which means most people don't benefit from it and it seems to discourage use? As with the flower beds on the streets, if some of it were on the outside, it would be a really exciting and visible presence on the street. Perhaps the entrance area could be changed so there are flower beds outside marking the entrance? If the gates were more transparent it would allow better views into the garden, help show it off and encourage more to use it.
Profile of Jenny Duval
Posted by:Jenny Duval
5 years ago
@Nick P I agree with Nick that the thick wooden fence makes it hardly visible or indeed very inviting. It would be great if a solution could be found to open up the community garden to more users but I understand that this is tricky but not impossible.
In an ideal world I'd love to see the tarmacked area opposite the community garden being incorporated into the possibly new garden design in some way. Obviously part of it will always be an access point for emergency services but surely that cul-the-sac could be used better than it is now. More flower planters or even trees planted just outside the community garden (again not interfering with the actual road) but planted on the pavement where cars often park.
I dream of a car less little square blended in some way into the community garden. If you marry that idea with a Sunday market it would make me a very happy Manor Park resident.
Profile of Nick P
Posted by:Nick P
5 years ago
@Jenny Duval totally agree. It feels like there is a lot of road at that junction and it would be nice to see pedestrians and community use prioritised. Another point is that the current arrangement of parking along the side of the community garden is laid out badly.
It would make much more sense for the parking to be on what is currently the flat area of the pavement - then move the actual pedestrian walkway alongside the community garden. This would then allow for the creation of a kerb garden and let people walk down the long side of the garden - rather than just walking past parked cars. (ideally get rid of the cars, but understand the parking is needed)
Profile of MarshMello Hylton
Posted by:MarshMello Hylton
5 years ago
I have visited the Forest Gate community garden, and it was well worth the trip. Lovely welcome and I loved the fact I was able to get some advice and ideas for my own garden.
I would dearly love to see it become "a vibrant community asset'" as I Ok said; with the opportunity to meet people in the community and possibly learn from each other.
I live not far from the garden and often pass wishing it was possible to get access; more so this past year.
After helping plant bulbs recently I know that there are many locals who probably feel the same.
Profile of I Ok
Posted by:I Ok
5 years ago
The Forest Gate community garden should be used as a template. I don't think the MPV garden has ever reached it's full potential. Employing a part time co-ordinator would make all the difference to making this a vibrant community asset. There could be a way for a link to be made with the proposed community cafe across the road ; there are several young families / new mums in area - it would be a great location for a play group/outdoor school activities. I feel it's been under utilised and feels like a missed opportunity. I feel strongly it should stay as an open green community space though.
Share
Posted by
Current status
proposed
Tags
Civic & Participation
Environment & Climate
Health & Wellbeing
Public Realm & Placemaking