Drongan open space transformed for the community.

May 13 2011 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A GROUP of like minded young people have transformed a bland piece of land into a haven for their community.

The space, off Littlemill Road in Drongan, is now awash with colour after the gang planted flowers, cut out mosaics and murals and laid new paths and turf.

It was all part of a project called Urban Green, by Impact Arts and Irvine Housing Association.

For 16 weeks, 15 local young people have been talking to the community and designing and installing the new community green space next to Burnbrae.

The 15 local young people were not in employment, education or training and were referred to the project through partner agencies.

Their challenge was to engage with and consult the local community to design and install a landscaped green space with artistic features.

The young people worked alongside Impact Arts’ qualified and talented tutors on a full-time basis to produce a completely transformed urban space.

Based at Drongan community centre, the young people consulted with the community, researched, planned and designed the green space.

They presented the ideas back to the community and Irvine Housing association before the installation phase commenced.

The installation involved many mosaics, plywood cutout insect murals, new paths and turf, trees, wildflowers and much more, all in a concerted attempt to beautify the community area.

As well as the project brief, participants were also engaged in team building, outward-bound day trips, inspiration trips, personal development and some creative writing.

The Impact Arts team worked closely with all the young people to help raise self-belief, confidence and to support them in pursuing their future goals.

The community were very helpful in providing feedback and a group of pupils at Drongan primary school were involved in a two day consultation event, prior to the project starting, producing some fabulous models of what they wanted to see in the space.

Everyone’s ideas were considered and compromised into a final plan.