Community Garden, Lochwinnoch

This brownfield site in Lochwinnoch currently houses the food larder and is owned by the Lochwinnoch Community Development Trust (LCDT). This amazing site afforded an opportunity to create an accessible community garden close to the centre of the village, integrating the larder and offering a space for a craft and farmers market, community events and gatherings, and food growing.

The site was already rich in self-seeded planting and together, we were keen to retain as much of this as possible whilst enhancing it.

Problems we overcame in the design:

• Integrated the different areas seamlessly while addressing accessibility, social gatherings, and childcare provisions while keeping within the laid out budget.
• Provided space for stalls for craft and farmers market, along with a multi-functional covered structure for various events.
• Working with soil scientists, we addressed the contaminated soil remaining from former industrial use during the 19th and first half of the 20th Century using a combination of raised planters, capping and phytoremediation.
• Addressed the parts of the site that are prone to flooding during heavy rainfall.

Design Solutions

The Hub:

Near Lochhead Avenue, a newly clad food larder and meeting room serve as a welcoming entrance. There, a deck with seating and tables will be nestled within planting. Behind the meeting room, a larger seating area with a pizza oven is provided for gatherings.

Farmer’s Market / Large Event Space:

A central open space serves as a venue for farmer’s markets or events, with planted borders offering seating areas. Close by, a large covered round-wood structure provides undercover space for various activities.

Play / Workshops / Education:

Paths lead to quiet seating spaces among trees and a versatile deck for activities like art or yoga. A raised walkway provides dry footing through trees, leading to an open greenspace with a fire pit and a sensory maze.

Growing Vegetables and Fruit:

A large growing space will accommodate a community gardening enterprise. This space will contain raised beds of various sizes catering for different needs. It will capture and store water and include tool storage and compost bins.

Pond & Wildlife:

A large pond surrounded by planting areas will provide a habitat for wildlife, while a nearby (and existing) bramble grove offers shelter and food sources and will connect with the nearby wetland nature reserve. An orchard with fruit trees and meadow seating will create a relaxing atmosphere.

Storage:

Lockable sheds placed strategically throughout the garden provide storage for tools and resources shared by community groups.

Phase 1 of this project has been built (2025) giving the overall shape and structure. The community continue to develop the garden and are currently seeking funding for the remaining areas. We continue to keep in touch and help the LCDT where we can. Watch this space……