Futureproof Manor Park
The Pitch
Problem statement
Manor Park is a lovely urban park but it needs futureproofing to withstand climate change. We need more trees to front a very busy road and reduce pollution and noise, attracting more people to a neglected area. We have trees that have come to the end of their natural lifespan and they should be replaced by planting that can cope with climate change. We are surrounded by overcrowded housing (500 flats with no outside space), have been badly hit by Covid 19 and have a vandalism problem, which has damaged our Social Orchard. We have a lively volunteer group and good community engagement but need to educate people about the environment and increase a sense of ownership of the space
Solution
The goal is to reduce pollution, improve air quality and biodiversity and thus the experience of park visitors by providing more trees, enhanced wildflower areas and arts/educational activities and volunteering opportunities to give our community a sense of ownership of the space. We will provide 10 new trees, rewild an area of the park, and provide 2 arts activities next Summer that will educate families and children about connecting with nature and improving the environment. We will double our volunteer pool by working with local schools and Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. Impact will be an improved environment, reduced vandalism and a community sense of ownership of Manor Park.
Why are we best placed to deliver?
Manor Park Friends Group has 8 years experience of delivering community projects on time and to budget. We are a diverse group with a wide range of knowledge and experience. In 2019 we used Greener City funding to provide our Social Orchard and a new avenue of trees. This year, despite the pandemic and appalling weather, we delivered 68 separate educational, arts and social activities in the park, culminating in our Folk in the Park festival, using Make London funding. We have strong partnerships with Sutton Council, schools and local charities and community groups. Above all, we work hard to consult all the communities that use our parks and to widen our reach to all.
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| 5 Lime Trees @ £85 each | £425 |
| 1 Ginkgo Biloba tree | £173 |
| 2 Liquidambar Styraciflua trees @ £121 each | £242 |
| 10 mesh guards @ £35 each (2 trees will be match funded) | £350 |
| Materials for Art Trail - 50 felt pens - £45, Paper, £30, Worksheets £10 | £85 |
| Materials for 'Weathervane' calligraphy - nibs/staves @ £24, Inks @ £16 | £40 |
| Artists Fee for Art Trail (50 - 70 participants) | £250 |
| Artists Fee for calligraphy 'Weathervane' workshop (20 participants) | £140 |
| Leaflets (250), Posters (10) | £100 |
| Contribution to refreshments for 50 volunteers (hot/cold drinks from Manor Park Cafe) | £125 |
Beneficiaries
125 people
Expected impact
Our project is a mix of physical improvements and activities, some of which are hard to evaluate. We expect our impact to be - - Tree planting (10 trees, including 2 match funded fruit trees). Impact - improved air quality, soil retention and more footfall in these areas. We measure footfall via council owned equipment. - Volunteering opportunities. target is to recruit 50 volunteers to maintain space and help with activities Impact - More diversity of volunteers (age, ethnicity, ability/disability) Volunteers report improvement in mental and physical health, community engagement. We aim to retain 70% of volunteers beyond the life of the project. - Educational/arts activities for 90 children and adults. Attendees report improved knowledge of environment and enjoy the programme. The people mentioned here are our direct beneficiaries. However, everyone who uses our park will benefit. We will update our evaluation methods to provide evidence via evaluation forms and interviews
Track record
Manor Park Friends Group has provided and maintained 28 trees in the past two years, plus delivering 68 separate activities during 2021, including arts activities, yoga, Tai Chi, nature photography classes, bug hunting, coding for children and many more activities. We have always delivered our funded projects exactly as specified, in spite of the pandemic, dreadful weather and other issues, adapting to Covid restrictions and any other problems in our way. We have the experience to deliver our programmes safely and inclusively. we reach out to all our communities - this is a quote from a recent refugee to UK - 'Thank you so much for the arrangement of Manor Park Friends Group. My family and I enjoyed planting bulbs so much and we had a wonderful time last Saturday morning. We look forward to participating in the upcoming activities of Manor Park in the future' - This we feel, is the real impact of our activities.