An overgrown space behind Golders Green Library is to be transformed from an empty area with limited access into an attractive garden for residents to enjoy.
Barnet Council has been awarded more than £85,000 by Arts Council England to improve a previously unusable area outside the building and create a sensory reading garden.
The project will provide step-free access from the rear of the library and spaces for quiet reading with outdoor seating and shading.
It will also enable the area to be used for outdoor activities, particularly those linked to sustainability and the environment.
A series of planters and raised beds will be used for seed planting and other gardening workshops, with sensory and insect-friendly planting designed to encourage biodiversity.
The garden will be designed and managed with local partners, strengthening connections between the library and the community, and encouraging use by groups currently less likely to visit the library.
The project also hopes to increase the use of the library by local schools and the number of volunteers supporting it.
Cllr Anne Clarke, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure, Arts and Sports, said:
“Our libraries are among our most cherished local assets, and we want to ensure they are attractive and welcoming spaces for all members of the community.
“This funding will create an accessible space for quiet reading and creative activities, encouraging more local residents and groups to make use of the library.
“As we continue to focus on improving our local environment, the new garden will enhance biodiversity by providing a habitat for plants, insects and other wildlife.”
Helen Newman, Chief Executive of Age UK Barnet, said:
“We are thrilled to be part of the new reading garden project at Golders Green Library. At Age UK Barnet, we understand the profound impact that accessible and welcoming community spaces have on the wellbeing of older people.
“This reading garden will provide a calm environment where our older residents can engage in the joys of reading, connect with nature, and interact with others in a safe and peaceful setting.”
