Stockwell Urban Oasis

We want to create an inspiring and educational "forest garden" with a strong focus on adventure. A place where children from surrounding communities can learn and play together.

Our original plan was to plant an orchard. But we thought the site had a lot more potential so we decided to create a forest garden. Forest gardens have been around for thousands of years, but they're not part of our cultural heritage so the term is unfamiliar to most people (for more info see: http://www.eatweeds.co.uk/what-is-a-forest-garden).

We're going to create a leafy wilderness to provide an exciting play area where kids can learn about biodiversity and agriculture. They'll be able to see first hand how nature works and how species interact with each other. As well as nurturing a wealth of plant and animal life in the garden, we'll build an exciting tree house hideout, made entirely from recycled materials.

What we'll do:

• Build a rambling tree house designed by a local artists collective
• Plant a diverse mix of trees and plants
• Create a new pond area
• Create a shady walkway lined by berry bushes
• Lay a network of winding paths to provide access for bicycles and wheelchairs
• Create hugel planting mounds
• Set up a rainwater collection system
• Plant a willow coppice

Why it's a great idea:

By revitalising this dead space we can create a fun and playful environment which will engage children and provide a hands-on learning experience. The low-maintenance garden will also produce a high yield of edible and useful plants in addition to re-nourishing the soil structure.

We want to encourage local adults to get involved too - by helping out with gardening or getting involved with projects for the children. This should help the playground become a destination for all generations to enjoy.

There’s a huge wealth of great things we can do with this space - like holding cooking, planting or harvesting days - and we’re certain that lots of people will want to volunteer and get involved.

How we'll get it done:

• Buy trees, shrubs, and plants from the Agroforestry Research Trust
• Commission local artists "Giant Robots" to build the tree house using recycled materials
• Plant trees and shrubs and dig the pond area using volunteers
• Install rainwater butts and systems from Smiths of the Forest of Dean Ltd (recycled tanks)

We’ll be giving the garden extra individuality through some extra-sensory adventure. The recycled tree house, being designed by artist collective Giant Robots (http://www.giantrobots.co.uk), will be a multi-functional, visually stunning play space. It will be a fun treetop cubbyhole to watch the wildlife whilst also providing a structure for plants to grow on.

Everything will be completely natural and environmentally friendly - from our gardening practices to the materials used for building - ensuring it’s all in harmony with nature.

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