Community Garden at Newark Library now available for free hire!

The District Council’s Grounds Maintenance team began work on the important green space in Newark town centre in October 2022, transforming it into a hub bursting with biodiversity, wildlife and new planting, but crucially also leaving space to allow local groups to use it for their own activity.  Matthew Finch, Director of Communities and Environment at Newark and Sherwood District Council said, “I am delighted that this new community garden is now available for local groups, including schools and disability gardening groups, to book for events.

“The site was developed with the community in mind and built upon ideas gathered following a survey with local residents and community groups conducted last year.  We hope that the space, which has a lot of environmentally focused features, will be is a fantastic addition to our wonderful green spaces in the district and will become a hub for local activities.”

The community garden can be booked for your event or activity on the District Council’s website at https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/communitycentres/newark-library-gardens/

The District Council already has plans in the pipeline for a range of activities itself including garden talks and educational workshops with its park rangers and community gardening sessions with their environmental services team.  The community garden includes features which were designed with wildlife and sustainability in mind including:

• A gentle pebbled rainwater feature which runs through the garden and will attract insects and wildlife. Water butts have also been installed to allow rainwater to be collected and reused in the garden.
• Planting including wildflowers, a bulb meadow and a separate purple haze wildflower meadow which will allow wildlife such as pollinating insects like bees and butterflies to thrive.
• Fruit bearing species which have been incorporated into the hedges on the site.
• A living wall, located on the pavilion area at the back of the garden, which has been created with a mixture of herbaceous and evergreen plants.
• Wildlife runs are featured across the garden, the small mounds have tubing running through them for small mammals to use as shelter. The tubes were sourced from a fly-tip and repurposed in this project.
• New trees, one Rowan and two flowering Cherry Trees, have been planted in addition to those that were already on the site.
• A hard standing area to the back of the space which is accessible for a range of local disability gardening groups who are already keen to use the site. It features raised beds, the height of which have been carefully considered to ensure they can be accessed by wheelchair users.
• Bug hotels have been created from fly-tipped wood, to be used by insects and other minibeasts as a safe hideaway.

Other features of the community garden include seating, and a winding path throughout that leads to a pavilion and a decking area for groups to use as a space for talks, workshops and activities. The pavilion features a bright and colourful piece of graffiti artwork that was created by local company ImageSkool.

Matthew Finch, Director of Communities and Environment at Newark and Sherwood District Council, continues, “I’m looking forward to seeing the space alive and buzzing with local people especially during the warmer months.  It has a wide range of possible uses, whether that is a space for outdoor learning and activities, a place for educational talks or family shows or simply somewhere to relax and get some fresh air.”

“In time, and subject to official approval, we hope to name after the late Monarch Queen Elizabeth II. We believe this is a fitting tribute to an inspiring monarch, and our hope is that the garden can become a place for people to reflect on her lifetime of dedication and commitment to her Country.”

The District Council has organised a number of activities to coincide with this year’s Great British Spring Clean including community litter picks, the planting of saplings all over the district and the launch of the online booking facility for this community garden. 

To find out more about the community garden at Newark Library visit: https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/latest-news/2022/september/plans-progress-for-land-adjacent-to-newark-library/