Programme: Dublin City
WHO Theme: Outdoor Spaces and Buildings, Respect and Social Inclusion, Social Participation
Cost: 5000 – 10000
Status: Ongoing
Description
In the beginning the project had no name; if fact nobody knew it was going to be born! In a small park between Cherry Orchard Crescent and Orchard Lawns there was a site where there used to be anti-social activity. Sometimes fires were set there. To prevent this happening DCC had placed two big boulders there. They were an eyesore.
At this time the idea of Memorial Trees for the park was taking shape and became very real when a young man who lived nearby died tragically. People began to donate plants and flowers and some young trees and shrubs were planted. By degrees a Memorial Walk began to take shape.
Then one person suggested that it might be a good idea to develop a Grotto on the park because people would come to visit the Grotto when they visited their memorial trees and it would help to give them a bit of peace of mind. The idea took on. It was decided to use the two big boulders as the sides of a cave and to use rocks that were in a local garden to make the bridge between them. Constructing the Grotto needed energy and enthusiasm and there was plenty of that. The hard ground had to be dug out with pickaxes for the shrubs and plants which continued to be donated. The boys with the horses supplied the manure for the soil.
Over the years the Stone Soup Project have transformed what used to be a derelict eyesore into a thriving mini eco system and a place for civic participation in the heart of urban Dublin.
Eddie, Matt, Richard and Dave deserve full kudos for working with Dublin City Council and their local community to develop an amazing tranquil space in Dublin 10.
Working intensively with Dave O’Donovan, Project Manager with Dublin City Council and further engagement with Public Lighting Local Enterprise Office, Parks Dept, Climate Action, Pocket Forests CLG Creative Connections and local colleagues from the Ballyfermot Area Office and the Orchard Community Centre.
Also recognised by PWC Sweden as part of their leadership programme for
managers in the public sector.
Aim of Initiative
To bring all the community together to prove that the resilience and prosperity in a connect community can achieve great things.
Who is it aimed at
All ages, all learning abilities and especially to those who wish to switch off from the burden of what everyday life can throw at you.
3 Steps critical to success
- Engagement with Statutory agencies – Dublin City Council, Local Enterprise Office, Climate Action staff, Liffey Area Partnership. Throughout all the discussions the community views and development are always paramount.
- Listening to local people and being realistic with what can be achieved within timeframes and budgets.
- Put the discussions into action. Review and change/repeat where necessary.
3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery
- The understanding of how local government work.
- To develop a cohesive nature with community where Cherry Orchard would be a neighbourhood of trauma for various reasons.
- There are always challenges in a project where by its very nature is organic in its approach. The adaptability of The Stone Soup to change its approach on tackling any issues that were presented was at first a challenge but more so a learning point for creativity in adversity.
3 Outcomes / Benefits
- The only p[ark in Dublin with no gate, a fence you can step over on one side and a hedsging natural boundary on the opposite, access from 360 degrees 365 days a year.
- The reduction in litter and horse manure dumping has ceased and is being repurposed for future planting.
- A more cohesive community involvement that has since led to a mural being developed to bring much needed colour and vibrancy to the area.
Contact:
Email: