COMMUNITY GARDENS
COMMUNITY GARDENS
information on how to join the waiting list for an allotment in West Dunbartonshire can be found at https://tinyurl.com/5h9pp8c8.
BONHILL COMMUNITY GARDEN - Created for residents and volunteers, the space is located in Braehead, Bonhill, with the best views of any growing space in West Dunbartonshire. Looking on Loch Lomond and further to Ben Lomond, Residents and neighbours are rejuvenating a previous derelict site. They aim to target children and families, young people, the disabled, people who have become isolated through mental health issues and young people at risk of becoming involved in criminal activity. - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1723900907866969/
Location - Braehead Bonhill
DILLICHIP COMMUNITY GARDEN - The 57 plots at Dillichip Loan are part of West Dunbartonshire Council's Food Growing Strategy, aimed at encouraging and empowering people to actively participate in food production.
The plots, which are serviced with water, fencing, access pathways, and storage facilities for tools, provide an opportunity for residents to grow flowers, herbs, or vegetables.
Location : Dillichip Loan, Dillichip, Bonhill, Alexandria, G83 9LN
https://w3w.co/printing.bashed.implanted
Phone: 07936047605
DUMBARTON REPORTER : https://www.dumbartonreporter.co.uk/news/24797109.bonhills-57-new-allotments-offer-gardening-opportunities/
FACEBOOK : https://www.facebook.com/groups/1198371814508473/
SOCIAL FARMS & GARDENS : https://www.farmgarden.org.uk/org/public-profile/80520
LOMOND COMMUNITY GARDENS AND ALLOTMENTS - It brings together, wellbeing, outdoor learning, community development, and enterprise in one place. Transforming school and community grounds into vibrant growing spaces that inspire children and families to grow and eat healthy food.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1806542969565366/discussion/preview
Location - Lomond Parish Church, 1 Lomond Rd, Balloch, Alexandria G83 8RJ
RENTON COMMUNITY GARDEN - Coordinated by the Cordale Housing Association
Contact - http://rentoncommunitygarden@caledoniaha.co.uk
Location - Glen View, Renton, G82 4DB
This view from the Main Street tenements was taken in January 2022. The entrance gateway with cars to the right is off Glen View.
May 2022 and the garden is looking very promising.
KNOWETOP - Run by Alternatives - Alternatives Community-based drug recovery project. Step-by-step, we help people to find their own path towards a fulfilling lifestyle. (alternativeswd.org) Knowetop used to be a small farm where children could interact with animals. It has been set up as a community project in 1981. After years of struggling financially (it was dependent on domations), it closed in 2011 and the structures were cleared away. Attempts were made to reestatblish it. This eventually happened - only to be severely interrupted by the panedemic and new financial challenges.
But it is now open. Progress is slow - but ambitious. What you can see now is very limited, but includes a small entrance garden and a fenced off orchard and vegetable patch. Wild flowers and trees run rampant across the rest of the site.
You are welcome to visit and walk around this garden. You will be even more welcome if you volunteer to lend a hand. Gardening is very rewarding!
Contact - knowetop@alternativeswd.org
Location - Castlehill Road, Castlehill, Dumbarton, G82 5AT
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The small entrance garden - summer 2022.
Some wild and introduced flowers simply doing their own thing.
The orchard and vegetable garden are slowly taking shape - summer 2022.
BELLSMYRE COMMUNITY GARDEN - Founded in 2010 by local residents, Bellsmyre Community Gardens is a substantial community resource providing up to 67 raised beds. The spectacular greenery throughout the Whiteford Avenue plot is a far cry from the derelict space which was once in its place. In 2014, the project was going strong with 40 members giving up their time to bring the garden to life. https://www.facebook.com/groups/806988172712212/
Location - Whiteford Avenue, Bellsmyre, Dumbarton G82 3JN
BOWLING COMMUNITY GARDEN - For a number of years, Scott Avenue residents have been developing and maintaining a small area adjacent to the disused Bowling Railway viaduct in West Dunbartonshire. Once complete, the landscaped area will serve as a communal amenity for use by residents and visitors. Due attention has been given to the garden’s proximity to the Sustrans cycle pathway, the local village hall as well as the historical heritage and situation of the disused Bowling upper station. Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/449934915437736
Location - Scott Avenue, Bowling, G60 5BA
FAIFLEY COMMUNITY ALLOTTMENTS SOCIETY - A non-profit community run project bringing grow your own to the community. https://www.mylearnandgrow.com/gardens/faifley-community-allotment-society.html
Location - Skypoint, Lennox Drive, Faifley, Clydebank, G81 5JY
GROWING BEARDMORE
Location - 89 Beardmore Place, Clydebank, G81 4HU
WEST BRIDGEND COMMUNITY GARDEN
Contact - Mylene Colquhoun - colquhounm1@gmail.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/westbridgendcommunitygardenproject/videos/341324970552153/
Location - West Bridgend, Dumbarton, G82 4AH
WEE CHATTY CAFE GARDEN, Old Kilpatrick
This one doesn't quite fit into the categories above. Instead it provides a secluded spot just off the Forth and Clyde Canal towpath walking and cycle route at the Saltings. It is one that also provides teas, coffees and snacks as part of the Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels project (OKFP). All of that is free to absolutely anyone, be that you wishing for a cuppa while walking the dog, or a cyclist needing a break on a long ride along the National Cycle Royte. Of course donations into the hungry bucket at the servery are always very welcome. Pay what you can.
Also see : WEE CHATTY CAFE : WEE CHATTY CAFE - OKFP
https://w3w.co/quite.betraying.outraged
An inspiring and unifying component amongst these community gardens is the Leamy Foundation. While its remit is very much wider, community gardens are a major means of realising their objectives. As they say:
Our vision is to create confident and connected communities and people through the power of our wonderful outdoors and community green spaces. Inspiring people to make positive changes in their lives and communities.
At The Leamy Foundation we have one overriding truth – that people have the power to create places they are proud of with futures full of hope, where anyone can be involved.
Our primary aim is to provide advice and encouragement to people wishing to establish a community garden or food growing activity small or large, or who wish to use our communities green space as sources of positive activities for all our residents.
We are now a collection of up to 45 groups including nurseries, schools, community groups working together to spread the message and share the benefits of local grown food. Since 2016, Growing West Dunbartonshire holds monthly meetings providing residents and groups with support and advice…and the opportunity for a catch up over a tea or coffee.
To find out more, have a look at their website. https://www.theleamyfoundation.com/
