Your chance to shape new community garden at Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens

People are being invited to get involved in helping shape a new community garden at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens at a series of consultation events next week. 

The community garden is being developed on a patch of land in Mowbray Park, adjacent to the city's much loved museum and winter gardens.

This is after Sunderland City Council was awarded £180,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) in October 2023 to work with the local community to create an inclusive Community Garden space inside Mowbray Park.

Councillor John Price, Cabinet Member for Vibrant City at Sunderland City Council, said: "We're very excited about this new community garden and we really want people to come along and get involved in the consultation events.

"This is going to transform what's currently an underused corner of Mowbray Park into an interactive, inclusive, and fully accessible container garden, with raised beds, seating, and paving. I think it's going to be fabulous.

"Above all, this is a garden which is being created by the community, for the community, with the help and support of skilled community development workers who understand the importance of cultivating communities to help sustainable projects to thrive in our city.

"We're already working alongside several local groups and businesses, building on existing relationships and creating new partnerships to ensure that the garden becomes a safe and inclusive space for everyone who wants to spend time there.

"So this is the chance to help shape the garden's future and tell us what you want to grow in this fantastic community space."

The Garden is being developed in partnership with local people and groups who will decide its design and use. While delivery partner 'Outdoor and Sustainability Education Specialist (OASES) are providing specialist design, support and training, and leading on the current consultation sessions. 

Three consultation drop in sessions are being held at the Winter Gardens glasshouse entrance of Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens on:

• Tuesday 20 February 10am - 2pm
• Wednesday 21 February 10am - 2pm
• Saturday 24 February12 noon - 2pm 

Visitors to the Tuesday and Wednesday sessions will get the chance to sow their own pea pod to grow at home.

While those taking part in the session on Saturday 24 February will be able to taste garden produce grown in Sunderland through the ages.