A New Wildflower/Wellbeing Garden
All Seasons
Posts: 5
This is a short video about
a group of around 30 volunteers
aged between 55 and 93 who have raised over £140,000
to provide a community garden in an under used
plot of land in Singleton Park, Swansea.
https://ioangrahamdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/
Last edited: 25 August 2017 08:24:17
0
Posts
Absolutely beautiful, how inspiring
evety community should have a space like this to relax and enjoy
Beautiful wildflower meadow. Congratulations to all involved.
Our bespoke entrance gates reflecting the philosophy of our new Wildflower/Wellbeing Garden. The Insect Hotel, one of the seating areas and a part of the Wilflower meadow.
A note on the LINK to our short video . . . . .
https://ioangrahamdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/
The URL blog address for our short video is above. 'All Seasons' cannot find out on this forum how to add the link so that it interactive, so sorry you will need to copy and paste into your web browser. Many thanks. Do take a look, the new garden took us 18 months to design and construct..
It is the first extension to the Botanic Gardens in Singleton Park, Swansea since 1929, and all money was raised by a small group of volunteers aged between 50 and 93. By selling plants, making grant applications and hard work planting. Still more work planting to be done over the coming years , all by volunteers. All for the community.
HERE ARE SOME DETAILS OF THE PROJECT and BACKGROUND TO THE WORK
The Friends of the City of Swansea Botanical Complex was established in 1994 with the aim of increasing public awareness and enjoyment of three major parks in Swansea. Income stream from Plant Shop run by volunteers open 46 weeks each year. Volunteer base of 25 people.
To 2015 the charity has contributed £200,000 to various projects in the parks which have an annual footfall of 250,000 visitors.
At the request of the Parks Department of the City & County of Swansea, have been engaged since 2015 in a major project to increase the size of the Botanical Gardens at Singleton Park in Sketty, Swansea by 20% or 12.5 hectares, providing a wildflower garden.
Wildflower/Wellbeing Garden merges with the long established Botanical Gardens, but is an informal space without lawns or closely planted flower borders.
It was developed from an underused south facing slope which contained only rough grass and mature trees. Majority of work being now completed, the official opening by the Lord Mayor of Swansea took place on 19 August 2017.
Used £50,000 from own resources and a further £100,000 from grant funding to undertake this project. Researched and applied to numerous grant funders in order to gain this money.
Worked collaboratively with contractors, Council departments and external suppliers to deliver a new experience to citizens and visitors alike. Liaised with all contractors to ensure that any problems where dealt with promptly.
• Provided fencing, new pathways and seating suitable for all abilities. Despite the slope, buggies and wheelchairs are able to access all areas. Seating designed so that wheelchair users are able to sit with their families enjoying the view over the lake. Seating made by local social enterprise firm who have benefitted from the public exposure.
• Provided tree labels so that all the mature trees are identified. This will enable us to design a tree trail in due course. Funded small plaques giving more information on specific trees and shrubs.
• Introduced bird and bat boxes to encourage wildlife.
• Planned and provided a bug hotel and a stumpery; new features in the garden.
• Researched and commissioned two information panels; one giving the history of the Botanical Gardens and one highlighting the planting and the wildlife to b
PS TO ABOVE POST some text missed off the end ........
" and the wildlife to be seen.
We have Funded two pairs of new gates into the Botanical Gardens from a West Wales blacksmith which are already acknowledged as works of art.
• Helped sow 5 kilos of wildflower seed to provide summer colour. A group of our volunteers worked with Parks Department staff to plant 10,000 spring bulbs, perennials, trees and shrubs.
Overwhelmingly positive feedback from the public.
Increased footfall in the Botanical Gardens since the new section was opened to the public in May.
Encouraged travel companies to include the Botanical Gardens in their South Wales itineraries. Have welcomed five coach trips this summer. Provide guided walks highlighting the history of the Gardens and its main botanical features.
FCSBC has gained such wide experience that it feels able to move onto another large project in Clyne Gardens in Blackpill in the near future.
From 'All Seasons' team . Do come and visit our Botanic Garden extension.