This project was founded by a partnership led by The Nature Effect CIC, Flo’s the Place in the Park, the City Council and local people. The site was a former mini golf area which had fallen into disrepair and neglect. It was full of waste material with little biodiversity, unused by local people or groups.
The Vision for a ‘NaturEscape’
- To be located within, and integral to, a much loved urban park and support a culturally diverse community with both economic and social disadvantage and thriving entrepreneurial spirit, this area will complement the other areas of the park, providing an exploratory space with emphasis on planting wild flowers and edible foraging.
- To support ecological diversity with rainwater harvesting, native hedging, bee and insect-friendly planting, and of course the pond, it is stewarded by programmes to support communication, social cohesion, increase confidence and reduce anxiety.
- It will be a dog free area as this has been requested by many families.
Kate’s Place
The main designer and vision holder for this project was Kate Jury, a director of The Nature Effect CIC and much loved local garden designer and activist on behalf of community and nature. Her work with other projects in East Oxford including with young asylum seekers at Barracks Lane Community Garden and with the Farmers Market were transformative and touched the lives of many local residents. Kate died suddenly in the summer of 2023. We are raising funds to make this beautiful site a permanent commemorative garden: Kate’s Place. You can read more about Kate and contribute to the fundraiser here.
