A group of interested individuals met this past week to begin creating a masterplan for the use of the St. Mary’s grounds. Group brainstorming led to lists of design objectives and specific design components.
Examples of objectives include both social concerns (building community, designing activities into the landscape, providing a safe & beautiful public space, etc.) and eco/biological concerns (improve soil and water quality, create and maintain bio-diversity, include edible landscaping, etc.).
A few specific components that were discussed include: public benches and pathways, a community-oriented annual vegetable garden, a public food forest, a greenhouse, rain gardens and rain catchement from buildings, a gazebo and cob pizza oven, and many more.
A small group was formed to complete the mapping process. When this initial draft is complete, it will be made available online for the broader community to see and comment on. In tandem with this design phase, research has begun on sourcing and funding for landscaping elements (trees, tools, building materials, etc.).
Very nice. If I may add from my group facilitation experience, aim for the proverbial "low hanging fruit," (pun intended). You will gain and sustain momentum if you knock out some easier aspect of the initiative. Otherwise, like most projects it loses the interest and energy of the people involved. - Tom O'
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing what you all come up with!
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