Waste land to become garden for all
The Knocknaheeny and Hollyhill project was mooted about a year ago but certain matters delayed construction.
The community project has an investment of €80,000 from Cork City Council and €8,000 from Safefood for its first year’s running costs. It is hoped the fruit and vegetables grown will be given back to the community and those who grew them.
Elaine O’Mahony, development worker with the Food Focus initiative, said people had come together in large numbers to train in horticulture theory and practice, committee development, health and safety along with planting and maintaining fruit trees across the community.
Once completed, the plot of land will include wheelchair-accessible raised beds, an education centre, composting area, tool shed, polytunnel, clay oven and other facilities. The garden will be open to individual and groups of all backgrounds and ages from across the community.
A member of the garden committee, Jackie Daly, said the project will mean a lot to the community.
“It has been difficult to keep people motivated but now that they see it is actually happening, we hope they will come on board. I would love to see young people getting involved. What we have here is a blank canvas that can evolved and develop over time.”
A turning of the sod ceremony yesterday marked the first day of the first phase of construction of the garden which will involve levelling of the site and foundation works for the education centre, tool shed, and pathways. This will take four weeks, and after that anyone who wants to get involved can come along and grow their vegetables.
Also involved in the scheme is the Niche (Northside Community Health Initiative) project which is leasing the site from the council, insuring the activities on site and supporting the process.
Katherine Harford, manager of Niche, says the project is something residents and local groups have been working toward for years.
“It is a really positive move by the council to make this garden happen when urban regeneration is happening across the area and the economic downturn has hit people hard. This will be a dedicated outdoor space where people can socialise, learn and relearn skills, grow produce and share together, is a really important opportunity.”
