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Turn a neglected corner into a small park

How a 40-metre strip by a railway wall became a park, and what a willow garden and a parklet add.

  1. Find out who owns the land

    Usually the council. Ask if there is a scheme already, like adopt-a-patch. In Clonsilla that meant no permit was needed.

  2. Talk to the neighbours

    Use the residents’ association or a group chat. In Drumcondra the plan came out of residents’ meetings.

  3. Get a small grant for a designer

    A local community fund paid for a landscape architect who came to the meetings and drew up what people said.

  4. Add up small grants

    St Anne’s Road combined a community fund, a €375 council grant, a €500 bank fund and a crowdfunder.

  5. Learn a skill together

    In Fairview, local women learned the park’s history, then were taught to weave willow.

  6. Build it together, and agree the upkeep

    Neighbours built most of St Anne’s Road. Decide who collects rubbish and who cares for living things.