The Greenspace project aimed to interact with the challenging multi-use space at the back of the Stove. It’s difficulties included illegal parking causing difficulty for disabled access, untidy bin areas and dumping, and anti-social activity in the evenings.

We wanted to address some of these by changing the focus of this space by creating a safer and more welcoming environment.

The project included:

• Consulted with neighbours and café users, inc. exhibitions and several design planning sessions with key interested groups led by Stove member Rita Pacheco.
• Hosted two community building sessions to create the temporary furniture and planters (the picnic bench and planters prevent illegal parking which was blocking in vehicles using the disabled spaces)
• Painted a wall mural, seed.
• Worked with fabricator and maker Roy Shearer to create some of the permanent additions, bike rack benches at the front of the stove, new signage, bin covers, additional seating and the close lighting.
• Led open design sessions to create the Closes stud artworks revealing the history of some of Dumfries’ forgotten closes, which were then fabricated and installed by Roy.
• Hosted takeover days of the space, including film screening and pizza making.

Supported by Tesco Bags for Help.