The session, hosted by Houlton’s Master Developer Urban&Civic was well attended by residents of all ages and backgrounds and gave people the chance to influence the look and layout of Houlton’s community gardens.
During the event, the team covered everything from how the community gardens will look, how they will ultimately be opened up to the wider community, who will maintain them, and how the space will evolve to meet the demands of the growing community.
Expert facilitator Christopher Clifton from Houlton’s lead landscape architect Bradley Murphy Design was on hand to lead the interactive session and inform and advise residents on how to plan, plot, and plant the perfect community garden.
This event not only gave residents the opportunity to learn more and get their creative juices flowing, but it also gave them the opportunity to bag themselves a bundle of gardening goodies.
Residents who attended were gifted a small memento of the occasion, consisting of sunflower seeds in a pot, alongside instructions on how and when to plant them.
Attendees were also given a tour of the gardens themselves and treated to a beautiful flower-themed cupcake courtesy of Houlton allotment owner Laxmipriya, owner of Inclusive Bakes.
Those who couldn't attend were given the opportunity to submit their ideas digitally and those designs as well as those created at the event will be shortlisted by an expert panel. The entire Houlton community will then be given the opportunity to vote for their preferred design.
Sonia Nakra-Norman, Community Development Lead, said: “It was a joy to lead this wholesome session with our residents and I can’t wait to see the gardens bought to life from everyone’s fantastic designs.
“After all, it’s no secret that if successful, a community garden has multiple benefits, they allow for the creation of social bonds, improvements in mental health, and build a greater feeling of community. These connections help empower residents and allow them to feel connected to their neighborhoods.
“By planting season, you'll find us collectively making those visions come to life. Watch this space!”
Michael Robson, Houlton resident, avid gardener and allotment holder volunteered to help assist with the facilitation of the session around the Community Gardens.
He said: “I can't wait to see the ideas that people have for the Community Gardens and hopefully we can get as many people involved as possible when we make the plans become a reality later this year!”
Houlton’s formal open space consists of Houlton’s first set of allotments, the first of three to be delivered here, plus table tennis tables, yoga lawn, football pitches and now residents’ very own community gardens.
Houlton is now home to nearly 1,000 families living in the new community as well St Gabriel’s Primary School, Houlton School and a thriving community hub home to The Tuning Fork, Old Station Nursery and Co-op. A further 5000 homes are planned at Houlton over the next 10-15 years and homes are available through a range of housebuilders on site.
