Trees for Cities is appealing to local people and businesses to help them raise money to transform the neglected outdoor spaces on Hackney’s Morland Estate into a safe, green community garden for all to enjoy. The Morland’s Growing Community project is a grassroots resident-led initiative with real potential to transform the estate’s physical and social heart. There is unanimous support from the estate’s tenants and Residents Association for the new facilities.
Estate residents voted overwhelmingly for the idea in a postal ballot at the start of 2014. Further consultation by Trees for Cities has confirmed the detail of what features residents want to see in their space. Trees for Cities is now looking to raise £10,000 for the project through a new crowdfunding campaign. Supporters can pledge from as little as £2 at http://www.spacehive.com/morlandsgrowing.
We have until 20 October 2014 to reach our £10,000 target. As with all crowdfunding campaigns, if we don’t reach this target people won’t be charged for their pledge. Here’s what we plan to do with the money raised:
Build and plant raised beds for community garden
Plant a community orchard of 10 fruit trees
Create a natural play area that helps children connect with nature
Involve estate residents in rewarding volunteering work
Engage volunteers from local business to help with the project.
The Morland has a diverse make-up of different nationalities and there are many older people living alone. This greening project is a fantastic way of bringing residents together from different backgrounds. Evidence shows that, when more people use a space there is also less potential for crime and anti-social behaviour – a problem that has affected the Morland in the past.
What some of Morland’s residents say about the project:
“My girls love the idea of fruit trees, plants and raised plant beds to attract wildlife. It’ll be good for children to see how things grow and need nurturing.”
“I think it would be nice for the people to go and have somewhere nice to sit and chat and meet people.”
“I would use the space if there was something to use. Before it had a fence. Now it is just a green/brown patch.”
