How to go about developing a garden to open to the public

Patricia28

My half acre overgrown garden is in the centre of an historic town.I want to develop it to recognise a well known historic figure and open to the public.I also have a commercial building on the site which I want to turn into visitor centre and tearooms.As well as planning ,I need any advice I can get on all aspects of day to day running etc.etc.

Spear

Moved from Newbies and FAQ.

mari2222

do a business plan.

kylith

Get on to your council.

Sonnenblumen

Patricia28 wrote: »

My half acre overgrown garden is in the centre of an historic town.I want to develop it to recognise a well known historic figure and open to the public.I also have a commercial building on the site which I want to turn into visitor centre and tearooms.As well as planning ,I need any advice I can get on all aspects of day to day running etc.etc.

What a very interesting idea and brave move especially within the current economic environment. Some aspects in change (opening tearooms) of use will probably be subject to planning permission. Opening the gardens to the General Public will also require that public liability insurances are in place.

You will obviously need to plan a garden layout which is sympathetic and true to the cultural and heritage of the site and location.

A business adviser may also be required to devise and manage the commercial aspects of the plan.

Wish you well and success with your endeavours.

Dirk Gently

I remember either reading or seeing a programme on tv about someone who done something similar. I'm sorry I have no reference as it was a few years ago and don't remember where I seen / read about it.

Basically what happened was, guy with land gave out plots to gardening students and allowed whatever college / course / scheme they were in to manage the land as part of the students course. It was private land, made into a public space and designed , planted, maintained by the students as part of their course and was also their working portfolios.

It might be worth getting in touch with local (or national) colleges / community groups. Basically you get free labour in return for them getting the free work space to develop and maintain the grounds as part of their studies.

If I remember the particular project I'll post again but in the mean time it might be worth getting in touch with some organisations and see if you can work something out. You end up with fantastic planted and maintained grounds and they get to practice their skills outside of the lecture hall.

magicbastarder

first question which sprung to mind - do you want to open your garden to the public as a garden, or do you want to make the land open to the public?

if the former, you've potentially several years wait for the garden to mature if it's in need of a lot of work.

Patricia28

You will obviously need to plan a garden layout which is sympathetic and true to the cultural and heritage of the site and location.



A business adviser may also be required to devise and manage the commercial aspects of the plan.





Thank you for helpful advice...will take this on board,.....

Patricia28

This is worth following up,all suggestions very helpful.
Just in the thinking stage at the moment but I can start on researching student participation. Thanks

Funsterdelux

Can I ask what county you are based?

Patricia28

If starting to clear site this Summer and get planting soon after,would I have a worthwhile colourful garden to open next summer?
Also,the budget may extend to buying some mature trees to give an established look but the main impact would be a riot of colour....is this possible?
I do'nt want to bring in a garden designer just yet...I would like to hear more ideas coming through here.
I want to open the garden to the paying public.

magicbastarder

i have read your comment about the 'paying public' in that you will be charging them entry into the garden; is that correct?

Meelich

Patricia, it would be worth visitng some other gardens to get ideas re design - esp places that do that kind of thing like the National Garden Exhibition centre, Powerscourt, and other paying gardens.

Also it's worth considering the theme - if it's something to celebrate a local celebrity/hero then use a theme from that person - I'm from percy french country for instance so imagine a garden themed for one of his songs and images from the songs.....

Sounds exciting, but if you plant something this summer it will still be fairly 'new' next spring unless you do buy very mature shrubs/bushes/trees, which of course cost far more. I would get the tea room going to fund the garden and set up some sort of small museum to your celebrity to get the visitors in in the meantime (ok more money)....

best of luck, sorry can't help with the whole planning thing but would suggest sussing out someone in your area (eg local county councillor) to find out about it and pitch the fact you'd be creating employment because you'll have people helping build and maintain the garden and the tearoom, never mind the supplies you'd be bringing in. Also contact enterprise ireland, there might be some grants available for local business?

best of luck