Gerald Lee Pocket Park - nearly the finale!

The Gerald Lee Pocket Park has been a great hit! I am informed that the bees and hoverflies are already visiting; and is it my imagination, or have some of those breadcrumbs on the bird table been eaten by a passing sparrow?

Certainly, passers by are commenting, and the Town Hall is excited that with Paul Harman's vision, the community can beat the council into second place when it comes to civic space.

You can now join our special Facebook group dedicated to the support of the Gerald Lee Pocket Park. Why not? It is free!

Our next event (or should I say adventure) is 'The Grand Opening' on Tuesday 29 July by the Mayor. I am reliably assured that he will be wearing his Mayoral Chain. This is your opportunity to stop by and take a bow for all of your hard work - whether digging, planting, or simply commenting in an encouraging way.






Of course we shall have to renew some of the seasonal planting by then. So we need colourful plants to replace the poppies. Take a look around your garden and split your most successful and showy clumps.









Here are the final pictures for now. Stephanie took them this afternoon following the laying of the paths. Let's hope the park stays as beautiful and glorious as it has started!

'The Gerald Lee' Pocket Park - the Smallest Park in Britain

From this

to this - at a total cost of £17 - £15 for pond liner, and £2 to tip the rubble (plus free labour!)

The sun shone - Radio Tees stopped by - the workers arrived - and Councillor Paul Harman's idea to convert a neglected scrap of land under a billboard into 'The Gerald Lee Pocket Park' - the smallest park in Britain - became a reality.

Here are the pictures:

Peter Plant of Hi Grow Darlo, master-minding the lining for the paths -  here measuring out re-cycled path liner donated Woodburn Nursery

Matthew from Friends of the Earth Darlington preparing the entrance to the pocket park

Councillor Paul Harman digging - yes, councillors do get their hands dirty! 

 

Meanwhile, back at HQ - Stephanie's tea stall - with thanks to Dot at no 24 for the tea and biscuits. The carrot cake is Stephanie's speciality - and was delicious!

Thanks for the plants: to J J Blair & Sons from the covered market, Marie Steward from Sainsburys Victoria Road, and the whole team at Woodburn Nursery!

Bird, bee and beetle friendly garden design by Kendra Ullyart - Darlington Friends of the Earth

South Terrace residents take charge, with Guerilla Gardeners (Darlington Division) keeping out of the way of the photographer

Amanda, the hero of South Terrace, who has spearheaded the project

Our favourite  - Angela shares a joke with Matthew Snedker

Jade Ullyart - top worker!

Bird box and bee hotel, made and donated by Friends of the Earth

Passsers by stop to admire the transformation

Nearly complete - just the finishing touches needed

Kendra from Friends of the Earth Darlington stocking the bee hotel

Success, job done!












BBC Radio Tees interviewing Amanda and Kendra