Enfield Celebrates Opening of Community Garden

Enfield residents are enjoying a new community garden provided by local organisations, following its official opening this month.

Located at the Oasis Hub, the garden was designed as a social, learning and active space for the community.

The official opening, with welcome from Oasis founder Steve Chalke, was attended by Oasis academy students, members of the community and representatives from the organisations involved. The event saw the release of over 100 balloons and attendees watched the ceremonial planting of a tree to formally open the garden.

The garden was launched in partnership with Oasis Community HUB, Enfield Island Youth Community Trust (EIYCT) with funding from housing association L&Q, RSA Trust, Extended Schools, Capital Growth and Linbrooks Services. It has already been put to good use, as the venue for community event that involved clearing and preparing raised flower beds, in which more than 50 local residents – from the age of two upwards – took part.

James Musgrave, EIYCT children's development worker at the Oasis HUB said: “We are really pleased to launch the Oasis Community Garden and we are grateful to our sponsors for the start-up grants needed to get it started. The garden is a space in which the whole community can learn, share and celebrate together – growing plants and vegetables in the garden is just the start of the positive impact it will have.”

Louise Dillon, a parent from Enfield Lock said: “I brought my children to the Oasis Community Garden, not quite knowing what to expect, but went away with that feel-good factor. It’s not just a garden – it’s a way of also bringing people together. My children had a great day out.”

Ciaran Porter, Neighbourhood Investment Team Leader L&Q said; “The launch of the Oasis garden was a great success, and it was fantastic to see so many people enjoying the space. I look forward to keeping up with news from the garden as it continues to develop.”