The Kensington Community Garden currently has 52 plots that have been cared for by the same community members for many years. Over 188 residents have told us they would like to use the garden.

To open the conversation we wanted to hear how plot holders used the garden and understand the interests of participating in a community garden from those on the waiting list. To increase the impact of community feedback, we linked this conversation with workshops to explore ways to open the garden to more members of the community.

We received 67 responses to our online survey; 30 per cent were plot holders, 70 per cent were on the waiting list

We had 12 plot holders and 5 people from the waiting list attend the workshops.

Over 85 per cent of respondents said the garden had a positive impact on their health and wellbeing.

60 per cent of respondents visit or would like to visit a couple of times per week.

Your responses and ideas have informed the following decisions:

• Kensington residents will be given priority access over people living in other areas.
• The garden will be redesigned to allow more people to use the garden and plots sizes will be reduced
• Tenure will be introduced, and plot holders will be given an allocation of time to use the garden.
• A community committee of management will be introduced to oversee the management of the garden.

During March and April, we will be inviting plot holders and those on the waiting list to complete a survey about specific features of the future garden model, which will inform draft garden designs and new terms and conditions of the Kensington Community Garden.

In March and April 2023, we wanted to hear from plot holders and those on the waiting list to understand how the community would like the Kensington Community Garden to be designed and managed in the future. Specifically, we wanted feedback about plot sizes, length of tenure and the type of garden model the community would like to see introduced at the garden.

Of the survey respondents, 47 per cent plot holders, 53 per cent were people from the waiting list.

Most respondents were female (61 per cent), with 32 per cent male and 5 per cent preferred not to say.

96 per cent of respondents live/work/own a business/study/visit Kensington

29 per cent of respondents were born overseas.

Sixty-seven per cent of respondents believe that people living in flats and apartments who have a lack of access to personal gardening at home should have priority access to the garden.

Twenty-nine per cent of respondents agreed a 5m x 2m sized plot would suit their gardening needs.

The majority (51 per cent) of the respondents stated they would like to see a blended model, that is, a garden with both individual plots for personal use and communal plots adopted at Kensington Community Garden.

Sixty per cent of respondents prefer a blended garden model with 75 per cent individual plots and 25 per cent communal plots.

The majority (50 per cent) respondents agreed that individual plot holders should have a 7-year tenure.

Based on community feedback, a blended garden model and reduced plot sizes will be adopted at the Kensington Community Garden. Majority of the plots available will be for individual use. Additional communal gardening plots will be created to introduce novice gardeners to the community.

Your responses and ideas have informed the following decisions:

• A blended model will be adopted at the Kensington Community Garden.
• The largest sized individual plot will be 5m x 2m.
• A 7 year tenure will be applied to individual plot holders.

During June, we will be inviting plot holders and those on the waiting list to attend a workshop where you will be able to view concepts designs and provide your preference on your preferred option.