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 |  | Establish a Community Open SpaceThe information on this web page has been adapted from a factsheet provided by Groundwork West Durham What do we mean by a Community Open Space?An outdoor space that is fully accessible to the whole community by virtue of where they live or what they do as a group. It may be a small or large park, a community garden or a wildlife area. It is a place that the community is fully involved with from its design and creation to its management and maintenance.This information looks at what community ownership is in relation to open spaces and the benefits it can bring. There are some general points that need to be considered when establishing a community open space and to help you get started. To give you an idea of what is possible we have given some examples of local projects that have been established by the community. This is followed by a list of useful contacts, local and national, that can provide support and useful information to help you and your community establish a community open space. Community ownershipThe initial idea needs to come from the community and identified as a local need, so ownership is created from the very beginning.'Lets do something to improve that large area of grass', 'Why don't we get together and look after the wood?' or 'Wouldn't it be good to set up a community garden?' To develop an idea may require the support or advice from outside agencies, the local authority or other specialists. However the community is central to the project and therefore they should maintain control or at least be a key player in all stages of the project. By community we mean all parts, from the young people to old people and it is therefore important that everybody has the opportunity to get involved (see the fact sheet ' Involvement and participation' for ideas on how to do this). Benefits of community open spaceThe benefits can be numerous and vary depending on the type of project. Establishing a community open space can:
What do you need to consider from the very beginning?Every project is different, so the list below is what we think are the key points that every group needs to consider. The case studies help show how some of these points were addressed in particular projects and highlight other points to consider.Is it something the whole community wants?Before deciding you want to establish an open space you need to find out if local people want it. You need to identify all the user groups and find out what they want from the site. It could include: young people, children, parents, dog owners and residents who live adjacent or very close to the site. If people are involved from the very beginning the sense of ownership is much greater and in the long term the project has a much greater chance of success.Do we have a suitable site?Is the site suitable for what you are proposing. It may have underground services that could restrict you or overhead cables. What was it used for before? It could be polluted or be a layer of grass covering housing foundations. Depending on what you are planning, will it create any safety issues for those expected to use it. If there are adjacent houses, what is the consensus of opinion.Who owns the land?You need to find this out by asking local people, speaking with the Local Authority or visiting the Land Registry Office. Once you know you can discuss the possibility of using or purchasing the piece of land. If the land is in public ownership you may be given consent by the Local Authority to implement your project or lease the land or they may be willing to gift it to the community. With regards to funding land ownership can be an issue and if you own or lease the land it can put you in a stronger position to secure funding.How can we get ideas and thoughts from all those likely to use it / benefit from the project?There are a variety of ways including: questionnaires, door to door surveys, getting school children to do sketch designs, go to group meetings e.g. the youth club to get their ideas, use planning for real or run workshops. (See fact sheet on Involvement and Participation) How do we get people involved?If people are actively involved from the beginning they are more likely to get involved and take part. People need to feel that they are part of a group and that their thoughts are taken seriously. Meetings can get very dry so you need to keep them fun and productive if people are to continue their involvement. (See fact sheet on Involvement and Participation)Do we need to form a constituted group?If you do form a constituted group it will help you access funding more easily, show that you are accountable and give structure to your group.Is there funding available?There is a variety of funding available for this type of project. (See fact sheet on funding)Who will have responsibility for the site?It is important at the very beginning of the project to consider who will have the responsibility once work starts and when complete. Depending on who has responsibility you need to consider public liability insurance and it is advisable to seek legal advice on these matters to ensure you have the correct cover.Who can help us design it?Depending on the type of community open space there are a number of agencies who can offer help and advice. They include Groundwork East and West Durham, Durham Wildlife Trust, Acorn Trust, Local Authorities and Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens. See further sources of information for more details.What skills do we have in the community and do we need any training?There may be a variety of skills that already exist within the community, therefore and through publicity or local contacts you could publicise the help needed and people may come forward to help. There are a variety of training opportunities available to community groups ranging from fundraising skills to organising events to setting up community gardens. See resources for more infoWho will maintain the site once complete?This needs to be considered from the very beginning. Will you do it through local volunteers, pay somebody, get help form your Local Authority or a combination of the above. The success of your project could depend on it and all funders will want to know how you are going to maintain it.Is vandalism going to be a problem?There is always the risk that it be. It can be reduced by involving all those that will use the site in a productive way and ensuring other agencies, such as the local police are fully involved right from the beginning.How can we promote what we are doing?To make people aware of what you are doing you can: write newsletters, put up posters and distribute flyers, write a press release, organise events to make people aware and ultimately celebrate your achievements.Are there underground services on the site?To find out write to all the service providers (Gas, Water, Telecom, Electricity) with a location plan and they will send you details of where their services are.Will it need planning permission?Contact your Local Authority Planning Section to find out.How can we ensure the environmental benefits of the project outweigh any negative impacts?Consider completing a Sustainability Checklist, copies can be supplied by the LA21 Team at Durham County Council. Further Sources of InformationGroundwork West DurhamGrosvenor House 29 Market Place Bishop Auckland County Durham DL14 7NP Tel: 01388 662 666 Email: [email protected] Groundwork West Durham (Craghead Office) The Old Fire Station, Delves Lane, Consett, Co Durham DH8 7LF Tel 01207 693202 Groundwork East Durham Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens Durham Wildlife Trust Rainton Meadows Chilton Moor Houghton-le-Spring Tyne and Wear DH4 6PU Tel: 0191 584 3112 BTCV Common Ground They offer ideas, advice and inspiration for groups that want to learn about, enjoy, and taker more responsibility for their locality. Website - www.commonground.org.uk Sacred Lands Project: organisation working to develop new sacred places Tel: 0161 248 5731 Living Churchyard Project: organisation providing support and advice around churchyards Tel: 01203 696969 Soil Association: good source of information on local food growing and organic production Soil Association Bristol House 40-56 Victoria Street Bristol BS1 6BY Tel: 0117 914 2425 PublicationsCommunity Garden Starter Pack - from Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens. Promoting Nature in Cities and Towns by Malcolm Emery. ISBN 0-7099-0970-5 A Guide to Good Practice in Managing Environmental Projects - published by Department of Environment Transport and Regions, code 96EP134 (free) Case StudiesGreat Lumley Community ParkIn 1996 Great Lumley Parish Council approached Groundwork West Durham to find out how they could help with the idea of transforming a barren grassed area with derelict swings and an old BMX track into a Community Park. Initially every household and all local groups were invited to a public meeting to listen to presentations from the Countryside Agency, Great North Forest and Groundwork West Durham and share their ideas for what they wanted from this piece of land.From this over thirty people attended the next meeting, which was for those that really wanted to get involved and help out. People split into three sub groups: fundraising, layout of the park and equipment for the play area. They all met individually but would come together regularly to share progress and get feedback. Through these meetings Groundwork were able to offer support in submitting funding applications and prepare designs for wider consultation. Following further public meetings a final design was agreed. It took around nine months to do this and nearly a year to raise the majority of the funds. Much of the work to create the park had to be done by contractors due to the nature of the work. The community, including every child at the two local schools, helped plant native trees and wildflowers, , and organised a regular tidy up rota. The central feature is a piece of a fossilised tree found at the nearby opencast site that is surrounded by a mosaic that was designed and created by children from both local schools with the help of professional artists. A charitable trust has been set up to manage the park, which has a 999 year lease on the piece of land. This is made up of representatives from the local community, local school, Parish Council and District Council. For more information about this project contact Maureen Hopkins Tel: 0191 3888776 The Bungalow's Residents and Neighbourhood Watch Association (BRANWA) Organic GardenThe BRANWA organic garden is in South Stanley, nestling outside the community house. Small is beautiful comes to mind with this volunteer run project, as well as what you can achieve with enthusiasm, commitment and sheer hard work.Historically the gardens in this area were huge allotment size productive spaces for the miners and families resident in them. Those days have passed and now small gardens in a sea of grass remain. When the BRANWA took over the house in 1998, work needed to be done on the garden. BRANWA contacted Health Matters in Stanley, to fund an organic garden gardening course. The group then set to work planting, tending, harvesting and then using the produce, a meal was prepared. In the summer BRANWA played host to an international work camp, to set to work volunteers undertaking to tidy up and help some of the older residents sort out their gardens. With this sort of activity going on the gardening group are to establish a herb garden for cooking and drying and supplying to residents. Gary the gardener says that an area next to the bungalow has potential. 'It's always the same with these gardeners, watch out South Stanley'. BRANWA is a hive of activity, with CAB, Victim Support, Age Concern, Legal Advice, Councillors and Free Internet Access, as well as many active, local groups. Contact: BRANWA 19 Kier Hardie Walbottle Community OrchardThe orchard is located in Walbottle, which is in the outer west of Newcastle Upon Tyne. It is part of a former brickworks and quarry. The site was previously used for grazing and lacked running water. The City Council Ranger Service wanted something better, and so the Community Orchard was born in autumn 1997. Public meetings and letters were sent inviting the local community (over 400 households) to get involved, which produced an overwhelming 'YES'.Work started on site in January 1998, with trees and bushes being planted. An impressive list of over 650 trees, including both native and fruit trees and bushes. The orchard is completely open and local people use it for walks, picnics and local events, which are a great success. Apple day activities are a must in the orchard's calendar, this year a treasure hunt, juice making, peeling and of course apple bobbing. There are many visits to the orchard, as a nature reserve, by schools, who find it a valuable outside classroom which links well to National Curriculum work. As the site matures, so development of the grassland to increase biodiversity continues, with the local community and schools, planting, growing seeds and taking cuttings of wildflowers. Regular orchard newsletters are distributed to local people, to keep up to date on progress. So far �900 has come from the Forestry Authority, the local community raised over �600, from tree sponsorship and fund raising events. The success of Walbottle Orchard comes from Gillian and Ken, Countryside Rangers who are there to assist the local community who in turn are clearly committed to turning an eyesore into a valuable community resource. Contact: Visitors Centre, Newburn on 0191 264 8501. | | 
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