Barrow's new pocket park: make it happen

by Art Gene in Barrow-in-Furness, England, United Kingdom

Barrow's new pocket park: make it happen
We did it
On 1st July 2024 we successfully raised £1,395 ( + est. £286.75 Gift Aid ) with 78 supporters in 28 days

Urgent. Help us go to auction this week! Our charity will bid for a disused plot of land in town. We'll add colour and beauty and wildlife.

by Art Gene in Barrow-in-Furness, England, United Kingdom

Why support Art Gene?

Art Gene is a small charity with big ambition. We involve local people in delivering positive change. Since 2002, we've given new use to one of Barrow's most iconic buildings, the Nan Tait Centre. We've developed a gallery and high quality artwork, known across the North West. In 2015 we took over scrubland on Walney Island and transformed it into a beautiful, organic growing space managed by volunteers for biodiversity. This year we won funding to plant a new orchard.

Why now?

Since 2019, we've looked out of our beautiful Grade II listed windows onto a plastic-draped, weed-covered wasteland, hardly made safe by collapsed steel fencing. It's in the middle of our conservation area and is a blight on our community. It had planning permission but that has now lapsed. The land is up for auction for a second time in three years at a reduced price.

Why you?

By giving whatever you can afford (minimum £1) you could help turn this plot - next to the Knights and opposite Nan Tait - into a perfect pocket park. Planting in this area would extend the wildlife corridor from Ramsden Square to Coronation Gardens and on to the Park, supporting our threatened wildlife. We'd encourage children to use it as an outdoor classroom. Adults would come together to chat or tend the plants.

With the community's help and Art Gene's track record for innovative design, we could transform this eyesore. We'd plan seating, and plant trees and wildflowers. It would be beautiful and colourful, brightening the lives of local residents. It could offer a place of calm and contemplation for grieving families visiting the Little and Caine undertakers across the road. Clients and staff of Women’s Community Matters could use it to relax between meetings.

Security cameras in Nan Tait, active volunteer management and civic pride would help keep the site safe and intact. We could secure it at night if funding allows. It would be a valued public asset for local people to enjoy long into the future.

Can you help us deliver something positive for our community? Wards in Barrow fall into the top 3% of places of multiple deprivation in England and we need your support. It's urgent too - the auction is this week. Thank you.

What if it doesn't come off?

If we're unsuccessful in the auction, or we can't get planning permission for the park, we will invest any money we raise in nature projects and wildflower planting in other parts of the Barrow area. These will be chosen by Barrow's residents. If you don't want to support this secondary activity you will be be able to request a refund on the Crowdfunder site.

www.art-gene.co.uk

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