Engagement

Engagement with the community has been undertaken as part of the process guiding and shaping the proposed improvements.

As part of the initial research and analysis of the Gallatown area engagement with the community was undertaken by attending the following events and meetings:

Bite & Blether, Happy Days, Clair Street (11.02.2020)

The first engagement activity was undertaken by visiting the ‘Bite & Blether’ group speaking to regular attendees. We collected many valuable points and comments on: • Food growing • Seating • Tree planting • Social spaces • Gallatown Park • Active travel

This session highlighted the need for outdoor social spaces linked to a community cafe or centre, more and diverse planting, including food growing and seating. Anti-social behaviour was also mentioned in relation to newly planted trees and dog fouling.

Bike Hub, Gallatown Park (14.02.2020)

Visiting the bike hub gave us the opportunity to speak to adults as well as children exploring: • Sensory planting • Residential greenspaces • Children play • Seating • Murals

This event highlighted the need for more diverse planting, to be able to touch and engage with nature. Brighten up blank walls with artworks as well as different play opportunities were mentioned as well.

Neighbourhood Development Partnership networking lunch, Gallatown FC Office (27.02.2020)

During the roundtable discussions the following themes emerged: • Fruit and edible planting throughout the area - foraging trail • Heritage trail • Different outdoor spaces to sit and observe or undertake some activity

Highlands & Islands Tenants & Residents Association, Free Church (09.03.2020)

As part of one of their regular meet-ups ideas and comments in regard to the Highlands and Islands residential area were mentioned: • Good quality of hard & soft landscaping required • Unsure what to do about existing planters • Seating • Maintenance • Large car parking area underused • Anti-social behaviour and vandalism

Overall local residents would like to see a better quality of their immediate surroundings but acknowledged that it will be challenging with reduced budgets and maintenance as well as anti-social behaviour.

Crafters Group, Overton Community Centre (10.03.2020)

As part of one of their regular crafting activity we discussed: • Improvements to the outdoor spaces of the centre • Artworks within Gallatown • Involving children and youngsters from the community to reduce vandalism

The group is currently crafting two totem poles which will be installed outside the centre and at Gallatown Park. They would like to see more artworks that are developed with local children and residents within the area. One of the group members makes fairy doors. This would be a great resource for her making these or leading workshops to install these within the area.