V&A Dundee Community Garden officially opens

A ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official opening of the V&A Dundee Community Garden has taken place.

Members of the public who designed the garden as well as local volunteers who helped plant the flowers, shrubs and grasses were all in attendance at the ceremony.

The V&A Dundee Community Garden project aims to highlight that design can have a positive impact on wellbeing.

V&A Dundee Communities Producer Peter Nurick said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to thank all the people who have been involved in the creation of the V&A Dundee Community Garden.

“The co-design team worked hard to make this a space where people can gather, relax and reflect. They have designed a beautiful and welcoming space in the heart of the Dundee waterfront and should all be incredibly proud of their achievement.

“The hard work of the volunteers has really brought the garden to life and we are hopeful that local people will continue to help us maintain this space as it grows and evolves.

“I would also like to thank the players of People’s Postcode Lottery, as without their support this project would not have been possible.”

The garden, which sits in a 100 square metre plot in Slessor Gardens, Dundee, was designed by people living with – and recovering from – a range of health and wellbeing issues.

The garden has been designed to be a welcoming space for Dundonians and visitors to use. It will also act as an extension to V&A Dundee when the new museum opens next year, providing a space for outdoor talks and events.

The team was helped by professional designers Linsey McIntosh and Gary Kennedy. Dozens of local volunteers also got involved in the project after responding to a public appeal.

Included in the design is a small stage, a sunken area for people to gather and socialise in and a green ‘living wall’ which will provide shelter.

Clara Govier, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have awarded an incredible £825,000 to V&A Dundee since 2014 to allow them to work closely with people in Dundee and across Scotland.

“I am delighted that as a result of this support the V&A Dundee Community Garden has officially opened today and will provide a wonderful space for people to enjoy for many years to come. I would like to congratulate all the volunteers involved in this fantastic project.”

The Rank Foundation and Tesco Bags of Help also supported the V&A Dundee Community Garden.

And Careys Civil Engineering, the specialist contractor which delivered V&A Dundee’s complex curved concrete walls, supported the project by carrying out the construction work.

Patrick Duffy, Careys Civil Engineering project manager at V&A Dundee, said: “Careys Civil Engineering has been involved in the construction of the new museum here in Dundee. As a company we strive to help with local projects such as this and jumped at the chance to get involved in the construction of the garden.

“We’re very proud of what everybody involved in this project has achieved and think the finished garden looks great with the backdrop of V&A Dundee behind it. We are delighted to be giving something back to the local community providing a unique social space for the people of Dundee."