The Barnardo’s Priory Family Centre in Barnsley approached TCV for advice and help in setting up a project on land adjacent to the Centre. TCV’s Community Environmental Designer set up a group of volunteers, centre users, staff and young people to help plan the project. After discussion, it was decided to create a ‘seaside garden’, a theme to appeal to local children, whose visits to the real seaside were rare.
The aim was to provide an area where local children and their families would have the opportunity to play and relax in a safe, green space, in an area lacking in such facilities. The seaside theme also provides a good educational resource for groups using the Family Centre.
The project was financed by various grants, and goods and services from local businesses and individuals.
Community artists were commissioned to work alongside local volunteers to help implement the masterplan. This involved digging, laying paving, building brick walls, planting, and preparing foundations for the Playboat.
Future management of the garden has been planned from the outset, with low maintenance features an important design consideration. Local groups have volunteered to take responsibility for maintenance, following a step-by-step guide.
