Work got underway last month on Pincott Place people’s park to turn it from a forgotten patch of ground into a community-led people’s park.
Over the years, open land near Pincott Place, in the London Borough of Lewisham, has fallen into misuse. Currently a wasteland, it has become densely overgrown, been blighted by fly-tipping and attracted anti-social behaviour, making the area an unattractive eyesore for local people.
With the help of a £160,638 grant from the Big Lottery Fund, Lewisham Council and other partners, work has started to transform what has been a barren patch wasteland into a well used community space and wildlife garden.
Involving the local community at every stage, the project aims to increase community cohesion through voluntary and community group activity and create a public space for the whole community to enjoy, and creating a sense of community safety. Training initiatives on the project will increase the understanding of horticulture among people who will be involved, as well as improving the feeling of social well-being and psychological health of local people.
Councillor Susan Wise, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, said: “This is great news for the people who live around Pincott Place. The area has been an eyesore and in the past has attracted anti-social behaviour. Now work is starting, the whole look and feel of the place will change – it will be completely transformed."
“The project has involved the local community right from the start - from choosing the design and layout of flower beds and paths, to planting and maintenance. I can’t wait to see the final result.”
Residents will help to maintain the garden, located between Pincott Place and Frendsbury Road in Honor Oak. To help them, they will receive training in horticulture. A Management Committee will be set up to oversee work and maintenance of the garden. Emphasis of the project is neighbourhood environmental action and community involvement.
The project is working closely with local partners such as volunteering organisations and the South London and Maudsley (SLAM). It will also work with a local youth project to set up a youth shadow committee to work alongside the Management Committee, ensuring that a generation of custodians is established.
Clearance and landscaping work is being undertaken by Envirowork Lewisham, a social enterprise scheme that employs and trains long term unemployed people to work on improving and enhancing the environment for the benefit of local communities. Envirowork is working in partnership with JobcentrePlus, to employ people local to Pincott Place to work specifically on the People’s Park.
When completed, the area will have a formal garden, sun garden and a sculpture, the design of which will be chosen by local people involved in the project. Organisers plan to have an official opening in the summer.
The project has been funded for two years by the Big Lottery Fund, with contributions from Lewisham Council, Family Mosaic Housing, and South London and Maudsley (SLAM).
Organisers are looking for a new name for the people’s park – suggest the winning entry and win a Nintendo Wii. Contact Gareth Schweitzer, People’s Park Project Officer, on 020 8314 2071 or email gareth.schweitzer@lewisham.gov.uk. Suggestions must be received by 15 June.
Anyone wanting to be involved in the Management Committee for the people’s park, or residents living adjacent to the Honor Oak estate who are interested in free horticulture training from Enviroworks, should contact Gareth Schweitzer.