Department For Social Development Funds New Entrance For Coshowen Community Gardens

19 April 2006
DEPARTMENT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDS NEW ENTRANCE FOR COSHOWEN COMMUNITY GARDENS
The new-look community garden at Coshowen Estate, Londonderry has been completed with the construction of two new entrance features.
The features, including pillars, gates and walls have been funded by the Department for Social Development's North West Development Office through Neighbourhood Renewal funding, and the Lottery's Awards for All scheme. Designed by the local community, the eye-catching new entrance will encourage visitors into the new Community and Toddlers Gardens which have been completed under the Greencare Northwest Project.
Minister for Social Development David Hanson MP said: "Green space which families can use for recreation and where children can play safely, is very is important in the development and regeneration of communities. Helping to create the conditions where communities can flourish is a key aim of the Government's Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy.
"The completion of the entrance features to the Coshowen Community and Toddlers Gardens represents the final piece of a project which has brought together the local community and various funding bodies to generate real physical improvements to the area. This project has brought a renewed sense of community identity and pride. I hope the gardens will be used and enjoyed by local residents thereby enhancing their quality of life."
The new entrance features have been completed at a cost of Ł17,860 by JPM Contractors, Dungiven, who have also erected entrance features in Lettershandoney, Clooney and Lincoln Courts.
This work completes the Coshowen Community Environmental Improvement Scheme which saw the development of two gardens for use by the local community, including a dedicated Toddlers Garden. The Scheme was developed by local residents and delivered by Groundwork Northern Ireland with financial support from DSD, Derry City Council, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, the Lottery's Awards for All scheme, and the INTERREG IIIA Programme.
Residents Association Chairperson, Mickey Kelly said: "Everyone in Coshowen is delighted to see these entrance features going up. They set off our gardens, a place residents have made into a unique and vibrant environment. Coshowen is a living space the entire community is very proud of, especially for having created it together."
Keith Swerdlick, Senior Project Development Officer for Groundwork NI said: "Working with the Coshowen Residents Association and witnessing the amount of community engagement in designing the three new environmental regeneration projects has been one of the most rewarding elements in the project. The residents association and the wider community on the estate have participated in providing the inspiration to the Environmental Improvement Schemes and Groundwork NI is proud to have helped the community of Coshowen to help themselves in developing these projects."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The Coshowen Community Environmental Improvement Scheme received Ł27,000 for the development of two community gardens. DSD's North West Development Office contributed Ł12,850 towards the completion of two entrance features for the gardens.
2. The project was delivered by Groundwork Northern Ireland, an independent not for profit organisation working in partnership with the public, community and private sectors to bring about sustainable environmental regeneration. The Greencare Northwest Project is sponsored by Derry City Council and implemented by Groundwork Northern Ireland. For further information contact:
Keith Swerdlick, Senior Project Development Officer, 028 7130 6274 3. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy 'People and Place' was published in June 2003 to close the gap between the quality of life for people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of society. It has four interlinking strategic objectives:

Community Renewal - to develop confident communities that are able and committed to improving the quality of life in their areas.

Economic Renewal - to develop economic activity in the most deprived neighbourhoods and connect them to the wider urban economy.

Social Renewal - to improve social conditions for the people who live in the most deprived neighbourhoods through better co-ordinated public services and the creation of safer environments.

Physical Renewal - to help create attractive, safe and sustainable environments in the most deprived neighbourhoods.
For media enquiries contact the DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078.

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