Hackney,
18
February
2016
|
10:44
Europe/London

Work set to begin on Mabley Green transformation

mableygreen.jpg

A community growing area and new leisure facilities are set to transform the landscape of a Hackney park.

Tree-planting and landscaping are due to begin this month to sculpt the mainly flat grass plain of Mabley Green into rolling orchards and a food growing area.

This will be managed by local people and it is hoped the crops could supplement the diets of hundreds of residents.

The project will also see a new all-weather pitch installed; a new play area designed for children on the autistic spectrum; natural play facilities and an ecology area. Hundreds of trees will also be planted across the park, improving the site’s biodiversity and landscape.

The funding for the biodiversity improvements and natural play facilities is coming from The Veolia Environmental Trust, which was awarded £36,000 through the Landfill Communities Fund.

The growing project was spearheaded by the Mabley Green User Group (MGUG), a group of residents who live near to the site in Homerton Road, who suggested the idea to the Council before helping develop the plans.

Partnerships were also formed with local organisations, including Sanctuary Housing, the Thamesmead Estate Working Party, and the London Orchard Project.

Cllr Jonathan McShane, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Culture, said: “Mabley Green is set to be transformed by this exciting new project. The food growing area will be a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can meet up, have fun, learn, and enjoy planting and tending trees and shrubs, before later enjoying the fruits of their labour.”

For more info, or to get involved, e-mail: mableygreenug@gmail.com; or: bruce.irving@hackney.gov.uk

Cllr Jonathan McShane, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Culture, Hackney Council
Mabley Green is set to be transformed by this exciting new project. The food growing area will be a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can meet up, have fun, learn, and enjoy planting and tending trees and shrubs, before later enjoying the fruits of their labour.
Cllr Jonathan McShane, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Culture, Hackney Council

For more info, or to get involved, e-mail: mableygreenug@gmail.com; or: bruce.irving@hackney.gov.uk