Groundwork Memorial Park Garden
Twice-weekly drop-in gardening sessions in this well-equipped community garden in Memorial Park in south Luton.
Summary
Groundwork Memorial Park Garden offers twice-weekly drop-in gardening sessions surrounded by nature. Volunteers learn a variety of gardening skills and meet new people. Activities centre around gardening tasks and learning about gardening maintenance. The project is run by Groundwork East.
Activities include:
sowing seeds and planting seedlings
developing flower displays
creating a mini-pond
pruning hedges
maintaining outbuildings and building raised beds
Groundwork Memorial Park Garden in Memorial Park
Getting here
Address
The Groundwork Memorial Park Garden doesn't have its own address, but you'll find it in Luton Hoo Memorial Park (not to be confused with Luton Hoo!), LU1 3RP.
Walking
The Garden is within easy walking distance from the political wards of Central and South, and parts of Farley Hill.
From Tennyson Road: walk past the lodge house and turn right.
From Westhill Road: cross the park past the playground to the other side.
The What3Words location of the entrance gate to the garden is: https://what3words.com/spider.worker.labs
Public transport
Buses 3 and 3A stop at Tennyson Road. Bus routes 321, 721, 821, 755 and 610 Dragonfly stop nearby on London Road.
Parking
Car parking is free at the car park off West Hill Road, LU1 3LY. Alternatively, park at Stockwood Discovery Centre, LU1 4BH.
Video about different activities at Groundwork Memorial Park Garden
Autumn apple harvest
Lifting potatoes in summer
Opening times
The garden is open from February to November in most weathers, from 11am to 12:30 every:
Tuesday
Thursday
Participants can stay as long or as little as they like during opening times.
Costs
Activities are free. We provide all materials and tools.
Water and squash is available, and sometimes tea and coffee (if our little gas stove works!)
Who can join activities here?
Adults aged 19 or over can join the gardening drop-in session. Support workers or carers are welcome to accompany the people they work with.
The group size usually ranges from 2 to 15 people, and attendees are mix of people who:
might be here to improve their wellbeing
are unemployed and looking to keep active
want to meet people
want some time for themselves
would like to get outside in the fresh air
learn something new.
We'll talk to you and find out what you want to do, and we'll find the gardening and maintenance activity you're most interested in.
Facilities
A composting toilet and handwashing is available on site.
There is a bit of shelter from the rain and a sun sail is under construction.
Accessibility
The site has step-free access. Most of the beds are raised beds, so suitable for working standing up or from wheelchairs.
The toilet is not accessible. The nearest accessible toilet is inside Stockwood Park Discovery Centre.
The ground is grass and gravel, not paved. Access to the garden is via tarmac paths, but in the garden the ground can be uneven.
How to sign up
In spring and summer, you can just turn up during the opening hours. During winter and autumn, double-check that we're open.
Once you're at the site we'll ask you to fill in a short registration form.
While we're closed in winter, you can register your interest and we'll let you know when we're open again.
About the staff
One member of Groundwork East staff will lead the session.
Staff are DBS checked, and fully trained in health and safety, safeguarding and first aid.
Good to know
Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Bring a hat in summer and wrap up warm in winter.
We send a text or email if sessions are cancelled because of the weather, or there'll be a sign on the gate.
The composting toilet is easy and hygienic to use - full instructions will be given.
Tending the raised beds
"I loved learning something new, I never thought I would be able to do it."
"I knew in theory how to garden and landscape - now I have the practical experience to back it up."
Still have a question?
For general questions about this activity, contact the Luton Health and Nature Partnership.
Alternatively, contact Groundwork East by email on east@groundwork.org.uk.
More about Groundwork East
Groundwork East is a community and environment charity working across the East of England to change places and lives. They have been championing practical community action that benefits the natural world since 1985, running programmes to transform unloved green spaces, getting people outside to enjoy the natural world and supporting businesses to reduce their environmental impact.
Every programme and service they provide is tailored to the needs of the communities they serve. In Luton, they’ve been active for decades, offering many opportunities for families and adults to get involved in gardening at Memorial Park, as well as nature conservation activities along the River Lea.
You can also sign up to the Groundwork East Luton and Bedfordshire newsletter.