It’s not just the plants that are growing in Kilmarnock YMCA’s community garden. With some help from Brian Whittle MSP, the group have struck a deal to expand the garden. After Brian arranged discussions with their neighbour, Dignity Funeral Services, about a piece of disused ground behind their building, the YMCA have agreed to lease the ground for just £1 a year.
Since 2016, the YMCA’s community garden has become an oasis of calm off Soulis Street, offering visitors a place to relax or learn more about gardening. A team of volunteer gardeners maintain the space, which is open to the public during the Spring, Summer and Autumn.
Thanks to the agreement with Dignity Funeral Services, the YMCA will soon more than double the size of its garden. This will give the YMCA to offer a dedicated space for children to play, more opportunities for the YMCA and other community groups to hold outdoor activities and plant more trees and plants to encourage wildlife.
With funding already in place for work to start, and an offer from East Ayrshire Council to provide extra manpower, the YMCA hope to have the garden open to the public by late Spring or early Summer.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“Outdoor spaces like the YMCA’s community garden can make a real difference to people’s lives, giving them a space to relax and take stock.
I’m delighted that we’ve been able to get this deal done for Kilmarnock YMCA and I’m grateful to Dignity Funeral Services for agreeing to work with the YMCA on this. When I first visited their community garden, I was struck by what an amazing space it was and I’m excited to see what they can do with the expanded space.”
Jo Orr, Trustee of YMCA Kilmarnock said:
“Thanks to Brian Whittle’s efforts on behalf of the YMCA, our neighbour Dignity has generously given us something that we have long lacked - a safe outdoor space for kids’ ball games and other activities. We will also be able to extend our work in the community garden”.
