Community gardens have been established on Calvin Street near Brick Lane and on Bacon Street in Weavers following the installation of raised garden beds.
The Bacon Street gardens will be tended to by pupils and staff of St Matthias Primary School and local residents.
The Adopt a Garden scheme has already seen a number of areas in the borough vastly improve thanks to the hard work of residents.
Community gardens and flowerbeds have been created by volunteers using small areas of land that were disused, left vacant or in places that suffered from anti-social behaviour, such as littering and fly-tipping.
Re-planting and regular maintenance of an otherwise empty space is a positive step towards making neighbourhoods more attractive.
A community garden helps create a habitat for wildlife and has been proven to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour.
They also offer an opportunity for residents to make new friends and create an atmosphere of ownership within the community.
Residents or community groups can nominate sites that could benefit from an Adopt a Garden. They must be willing to look after the gardens for a minimum of 12 months.
In return, the council will provide the initial plants to get you started, offer advice on how to care for them and provide a starter pack of tools.
Mayor of Tower Hamlets, John Biggs, said: “This is a great opportunity for community groups and residents to come together, have fun and take responsibility for a green space. I thank all the amazing residents and community groups who have given up their own time to make pockets of the borough a more pleasant place to be.”
Cllr Ayas Miah, cabinet member for environment, added: “All residents who take part in any of the council’s Clean and Green volunteering schemes are an asset to the council. Our Adopt a Garden scheme allows residents to get involved and create long-lasting legacy for their local community.”
Clare Sealy, Head Teacher of St Matthias Primary School said: “Our gardening club are thrilled to have these new planters and the front of the school looks splendid. It’s great for the children to be involved with our neighbours in doing something practical to help improve the local community.”
Jeremy Freedman, volunteer and resident of Bacon Street added: “Residents have been empowered to improve our environment. I look forward to helping make my street a more pleasant place to be for residents and visitors.”
To find out more about Clean and Green Volunteering please contact Sam Dundas-Dunbar on 020 7364 6696 or Christine Gennings on 020 7364 3757 or email:cgv@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Source: Tower Hamlets Council
