It was overgrown, with trees and shrubs growing through the railway fence. The railway land attracted litter and couldn't be accessed for tidying. There was dog dirt, broken glass and discarded needles too.
Potter's Lane Community Garden
In a corner of Streatham (south London) was an unloved path called Potter's Lane.
Then some local residents got involved. Now, their award-winning community garden is making this popular route cleaner, safer and greener for everyone.
Potter's Lane Community Garden was a small area of land which no one wanted to maintain.
Once the only direct route between Streatham and Tooting Bec commons, the path was now a target for local taggers. Sandwiched between the railway line, pedestrian subway and the road, no one claimed ownership.
In a corner of Streatham (south London) was an unloved path called Potter's Lane.
Then some local residents got involved. Now, their award-winning community garden is making this popular route cleaner, safer and greener for everyone.
Potter's Lane Community Garden was a small area of land which no one wanted to maintain.
Once the only direct route between Streatham and Tooting Bec commons, the path was now a target for local taggers. Sandwiched between the railway line, pedestrian subway and the road, no one claimed ownership.
But it was still very busy:
* Commuters walking to Streatham Common station
* Parents and children getting to schools and nurseries
* Young people going to Streatham Youth Club
* It was also part of the London Cycle Network
In summer 2004, local residents took on the challenge. With the support of the local council, organisations and 30 residents, we have developed an award-winning community garden which makes Potter's Lane a greener, safer and cleaner place.
What other people say:
* Local resident: "We think what you've done, and are still doing, to tidy the underpass area up is wonderful, and sets an excellent example to everyone in the neighbourhood".
* Local councillor: "Local residents taking over this bit of space - which has been a grotty blot on the landscape for years - is a fabulous idea".
Award-winning project:
"A Picture of Change" was a new competition to uncover local voluntary groups who have made their neighbourhood cleaner, safer and greener. The competition is run by the Office of Deputy Prime Minister, in partnership with Groundwork and sponsorship from Barclays SiteSavers.
The competition was open to local groups in England who have been working voluntarily to make their neighbourhoods cleaner, safer or greener.
In January 2005, Potter's Lane Community Garden was chosen from over 400 entries nationwide to receive a £500 grant to help continue the work we have started.
Achievements
Here are some of the other highlights of the project since 2004:
Mar 2007 'Big Dig'
Residents get their hands dirty by planting up the garden with £300 of grasses and perennials, funded by Lambeth Borough Council.
Aug 2006 'Autumn colour'
Garden planted up with Cosmos bipinnatus "Sonata" and Cyclamen to provide a splash of colour.
Jul 2006 'Residents decide'
Local residents choose their favourite design - a mixture of grasses and perennials suggested by Aleppo Gardens. Planting scheduled for Spring 2007.
May 2006 'Garden designs'
Three local landscape designers produce practical and affordable designs for the garden.
Mar 2006 'Cycle route improvements'
Lambeth council complete £30,000 traffic calming scheme, with road narrowing, speed table and dedicated cycle route.
Aug 2005 'Site improvements'
Soul in the City" volunteers and local residents remove weeds and rubbish, and plant spring bulbs.
Apr 2005 'Seeds of change'
Garden featured in Lambeth Council's "Lambeth Life" publication.
Jan 2005 'Picture of Change' Competition award
Garden wins award in nationwide competition run by Cleaner Greener Safer Communities.
Oct 2004 'Bulb planting'
Local residents plant bulbs in community garden and nearby grass verges.
Sep 2004 'Lambeth Council grant awarded'
Council's Local Area Committee awards grant to community garden.
Aug 2004 'Residents get dug in'
Home-grown cuttings and donated plants are planted out by local residents.
Jul 2004 'Site clearance'"Soul in the City" volunteers and local residents clear the site, and lay bark chippings to suppress weeds and improve the soil.
Jun 2004 'New railway fence'
Network Rail contractors replace boundary fence.
Jan 2004 'Subway improvements'
Lambeth council make improvements to subway lighting, paving and security.
Thank-yous:
We would like to thank the following for all their help with the project:
Local residents
Over 30 local residents have donated plants, money or time to get the Potter's Lane Community Garden project started. We couldn't have transformed the area without their help.
Funding
Cleaner Safer Green Communities:
Funding from "Picture of Change" competition.
Lambeth Borough Council: Streatham Area Committee grant.
Lambeth Council
Streatham Town Centre Office: coordinating council contrators
Parks & Green Spaces: providing replacement trees
Grimebusters: removing graffiti and tagging
Highways: Cycle route development and traffic calming
Cycling Project Officer: Consultancy and project planning for cycle route improvements
Organisations
Streatham Baptist Church: financial management for the project
Soul in the City: providing volunteers to clear and maintain the site
* Commuters walking to Streatham Common station
* Parents and children getting to schools and nurseries
* Young people going to Streatham Youth Club
* It was also part of the London Cycle Network
In summer 2004, local residents took on the challenge. With the support of the local council, organisations and 30 residents, we have developed an award-winning community garden which makes Potter's Lane a greener, safer and cleaner place.
What other people say:
* Local resident: "We think what you've done, and are still doing, to tidy the underpass area up is wonderful, and sets an excellent example to everyone in the neighbourhood".
* Local councillor: "Local residents taking over this bit of space - which has been a grotty blot on the landscape for years - is a fabulous idea".
Award-winning project:
"A Picture of Change" was a new competition to uncover local voluntary groups who have made their neighbourhood cleaner, safer and greener. The competition is run by the Office of Deputy Prime Minister, in partnership with Groundwork and sponsorship from Barclays SiteSavers.
The competition was open to local groups in England who have been working voluntarily to make their neighbourhoods cleaner, safer or greener.
In January 2005, Potter's Lane Community Garden was chosen from over 400 entries nationwide to receive a £500 grant to help continue the work we have started.
Achievements
Here are some of the other highlights of the project since 2004:
Mar 2007 'Big Dig'
Residents get their hands dirty by planting up the garden with £300 of grasses and perennials, funded by Lambeth Borough Council.
Aug 2006 'Autumn colour'
Garden planted up with Cosmos bipinnatus "Sonata" and Cyclamen to provide a splash of colour.
Jul 2006 'Residents decide'
Local residents choose their favourite design - a mixture of grasses and perennials suggested by Aleppo Gardens. Planting scheduled for Spring 2007.
May 2006 'Garden designs'
Three local landscape designers produce practical and affordable designs for the garden.
Mar 2006 'Cycle route improvements'
Lambeth council complete £30,000 traffic calming scheme, with road narrowing, speed table and dedicated cycle route.
Aug 2005 'Site improvements'
Soul in the City" volunteers and local residents remove weeds and rubbish, and plant spring bulbs.
Apr 2005 'Seeds of change'
Garden featured in Lambeth Council's "Lambeth Life" publication.
Jan 2005 'Picture of Change' Competition award
Garden wins award in nationwide competition run by Cleaner Greener Safer Communities.
Oct 2004 'Bulb planting'
Local residents plant bulbs in community garden and nearby grass verges.
Sep 2004 'Lambeth Council grant awarded'
Council's Local Area Committee awards grant to community garden.
Aug 2004 'Residents get dug in'
Home-grown cuttings and donated plants are planted out by local residents.
Jul 2004 'Site clearance'"Soul in the City" volunteers and local residents clear the site, and lay bark chippings to suppress weeds and improve the soil.
Jun 2004 'New railway fence'
Network Rail contractors replace boundary fence.
Jan 2004 'Subway improvements'
Lambeth council make improvements to subway lighting, paving and security.
Thank-yous:
We would like to thank the following for all their help with the project:
Local residents
Over 30 local residents have donated plants, money or time to get the Potter's Lane Community Garden project started. We couldn't have transformed the area without their help.
Funding
Cleaner Safer Green Communities:
Funding from "Picture of Change" competition.
Lambeth Borough Council: Streatham Area Committee grant.
Lambeth Council
Streatham Town Centre Office: coordinating council contrators
Parks & Green Spaces: providing replacement trees
Grimebusters: removing graffiti and tagging
Highways: Cycle route development and traffic calming
Cycling Project Officer: Consultancy and project planning for cycle route improvements
Organisations
Streatham Baptist Church: financial management for the project
Soul in the City: providing volunteers to clear and maintain the site
T h e c o m m u n i t y o f E l l o r a, N a t a l, H a m b r o, a n d F e r r e r s R o a d s. A b o u t U s C o n t a c t s S i t e D e s i g n e d b y B e l M e d i a L t d.
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