Bowes Park Community Garden is located within a bustling shopping and residential area and is a highly valued resource for the locals. It has now been a Green Pennant winner for three years running

The Garden is managed by the Bowes Park Community Gardens Group who host gardening sessions on the first Saturday morning of every month and organize community events such as picnics and concerts.

The Garden is largely a natural resource, where trees provide shade and grassy areas are great for picnics! There are benches for people to relax on and the path has recently been extended to reach all the benches so they are now wheelchair accessible.

Bird boxes and a bird feeder have been installed to encourage the wildlife and no pesticides, chemicals or fertilizers are used, so the Garden is totally organic.

Plans are afoot to develop the garden further so watch out for a raised flower bed that will allow disabled people to garden more easily and some play equipment for children to enjoy.

Bowes Park Community Garden Group are always looking for people to help out with gardening, fundraising, publicity and arranging events so if you would like to get involved please contact Charlotte Argyle, Secretary for the group on 020 8881 0673.

The Gardens Community Garden opened in 2002 and is located in Doncaster Gardens, off Stanhope Gardens, N4. It was first awarded a Green Pennant in 2006, and has been a winner for three consecutive years.

The Garden is open 365 days a year, gam to dusk and includes a paved area, descending raised beds, featuring Tree Ferns, perennials, evergreen shrubs, community mosaic, willow sculptures and seating.

The Gardens Residents Association (GRA), manages the site and runs events in the garden, such as spring seed planting workshops, Easter Egg hunt, Summer Fair, Halloween Event, and Carol Singing at Christmas. Monthly garden maintenance mornings also take place. Other facilities include a tool bank, giant games for hire to local groups, and xmas tree recycling in partnership with Haringey Council.

The Garden is used by Schools and Play schemes, and is a place for neighbours to meet and relax, it is known locally as 'The Oasis' in the Gardens.

Other awards include:
· Green Pennant Award Winners - The Civic Trust 06,07,08
· 1st Prize Best Community Garden in London - London in Bloom 06
· 1st Prize Best Community Garden - Haringey in Bloom 06
· 1 st Prize Best Neighbourhood Award - Haringey in Bloom 06
· Highest Award Winner - Recyclers of the Year Award - Better Haringey 06
· 1 st Prize Best Community Participation Project - Haringey in Bloom 05

For further information please contact the Gardens Residents Association: 020 8374 7721 email: grachair@virgin.net website: www.gardensresidents.blogspot.com

The project sits at the Ivatt Way end of Mannock Road Allotments. For years this patch of land was a dumping ground and an eyesore until the Friends of Belmont Rec took over management of the site in 2006.

The Friends have created a community resource that is pleasing on the eye, an asset to the site and, in future, will facilitate access for others in the local community.

The first part of the project was an apple orchard, involving 15 old and rare varieties in a style called 'espalier'. This was funded by 02's It's Your Community. Further fruit tree and bush planting, a wildlife pond and a living willow shelter have been funded by the Council's Making the Difference Award. In total there are ten new small fruit trees (damson, plum and pear) on site. The Parks Department has supported the Friends in many different ways, including rubbish removal and also items for planting. Trees have also been planted in the green space opposite the site.

A circular study area has been created, supported by bird and insect boxes and wildflowers. This space, already utilized by one organisation, is for local community group activities.

In the future, we hope to hold apple tasting days, jam making and tasting days, and pruning and grafting demonstrations. In the meantime, we hope everyone enjoys the spring blossom, and summer colours. We very much appreciate the wonderful comments we've had from the residents of West Green who pass by on their way to and from Turnpike Lane tube. The Friends of Belmont Rec are a small group of volunteers so if you would like to get involved, please email them at belmontfriends@blueyonder.co.uk