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Community Garden
Here is a gallery of pictures showing the development of Wharton Park's community garden. Click on any image to view a larger version of the photo and its caption. Navigate by clicking on the left or right arrows.
There has been a formal park on this site since 1857. Following a major £3m restoration project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Big Lottery Fund and Durham County Council, Wharton Park is now flourishing and thriving once more. Among other things, the Friends of Wharton Park have been involved in creating a garden for the community within the park as part of the wider regeneration scheme. Today, the park's colour and diversity are promoted through the range of vibrant planting in the Community Garden as much as by activities and events in the wider park in general. A dedicated team of volunteers cares for the Community Garden which stands on the site of the old park keeper's cottage. The team ensures that the garden has year-round interest and colour. It is now a welcoming space where visitors can wander freely or just sit and admire the planting. And our resident scarecrow, who changes outfits according to the season, always offers a friendly smile too! To see photos of our collection of seasonal scarecrows, please click here.
As fruit and vegetables ripen for harvesting, we send notification via social media, offering members of the public an opportunity to acquire young plants or fresh garden produce. All we ask is a donation via the metal collection box attached to the shed which, for security reasons, is emptied each day. Any donations help us to continue developing the Community Garden for the enjoyment of all. Apart from a wide range of plants, we have been able to purchase: a composter; a water butt; troughs and tubs for bulbs and flowers; and a small greenhouse for growing young plants/seedlings. We have successfully laid a new path through the centre of the garden and provided extra seating. We're Blooming Outstanding! We are delighted to announce that we have been recognised as part of the RHS Durham in Bloom Award in the ‘Cultivating your Community’ category. Our plaque is proudly displayed on the archway, adjacent to the vegetable beds and ahead of the path that leads through our thriving and colourful herbaceous borders.
An award such as this really does shine a light on the good work that goes on in the Community Garden here at Wharton Park. We are always looking for ways to encourage and inspire through the power of horticulture. Our Fundraising Our latest fundraising event in the Community Garden was at October half term. We are delighted to say we managed to raise £380 for the Red Cross! We are very grateful for the support and generosity of people who visited the event. Future Plans Our future plans include:
If you would like to join our email group and be involved with discussions on progress and events, please send an email either to our contact person, Barbara Parkin,or to friendsofwhartonpark@outlook.com. |
