The residents of George Street and the surrounding areas of Aberdeen are invited to participate in the exciting Mounthooly Forest Garden project, which has been funded by SUEZ's Aberdeen Reuse Community Fund.
Supported by CFINE, along with a dedicated project steering group consisting of Community Development Officer Graham Donald, and Rachel Smith from NESCAN Hub, this project aims to create an accessible, functional green space in collaboration with local residents. Here’s a look at what we’ve accomplished so far and what’s next for the initiative.
Community led
The idea for the Mounthooly Forest Garden was born out of the George Street Masterplan, which highlighted a lack of green spaces in the area. In response, we engaged with the community to identify their aspirations and needs, leading to the concept of a Forest Garden - a sustainable, edible ecosystem that serves both environmental and social purposes.
The story so far…
We recently held our first public meeting at the Catherine Street Community Centre, where we were delighted to see such strong interest from local residents and community groups. The meeting was an opportunity to discuss ideas, and participants didn’t disappoint, bringing loads of enthusiasm and creativity to the table.
At the meeting Lucy Edwards, our Community Growing Assistant, introduced the concept of Forest Gardening, explaining how this approach can help create a valuable resource for the community, as well as support biodiversity. We also conducted a site visit to the Mounthooly Roundabout, where we explored potential locations for tree planting, seating areas, and other features that will make the garden a welcoming space for all.
Dreaming up ideas!
One of the exciting ideas that emerged from our discussions was the incorporation of mushrooms and edible flowers, and the use of produce in community cooking classes; a “plot to plate” approach that ties in perfectly with CFINE’s mission to improve access to healthy food. We’re also exploring the possibility of engaging local graffiti artists to add a creative touch to the space, as well as involving New Scots in the project to bring about inclusivity and community connections.
As we move forward, we aim to begin by planting an orchard, with plans to gradually expand into a full Forest Garden. This phased approach allows project participants to dip their toes in and figure out their way as they go along. The first step will require minimal maintenance, but we’ll create a programme of focused and exciting community workshops on themes such as tree planting, tree care, and more to generate interest among local residents. As the project develops, we hope participants - particularly local residents - will be eager and excited to take the lead in developing the garden further, choosing whether to incorporate more complex elements or components that may require additional maintenance.
This approach aims to ensure that the garden project is sustainable, genuinely community-informed and led, and a healthy, welcoming, safe space for everyone.
How YOU can get involved
Are you interested in helping to create a green space that will benefit the area for generations to come?
We are looking for volunteers and community members to join us on this journey. Whether you’re interested in helping with planting, participating in workshops, or sharing your ideas for the space, we’d love to hear from you.
Stay tuned!
The Mounthooly Forest Garden project is a community initiative that brings people together to create a collective green space. We’re excited about the progress we’ve made and look forward to the next steps.
Stay tuned for more updates, and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’d like to be part of the project!
Contact:
Rebecca Dunn
Community Growing Development Worker
CFINE
Tackling Poverty Together
P: 01224 596156 I E: rdunn@cfine.org
M: 07588471390
A: 2-4 Poynernook Rd., Aberdeen, AB11 5RW
