The construction of the city’s largest community garden – Pelguaed allotment garden – begins
Starting today, a novel concept urban garden, Pelguaed allotment garden, will be built on the North Tallinn section of the Pollinator Highway, at the corner of Kolde Boulevard and Ehte Street. In the capital’s largest and most modern urban garden, food can be grown in both raised beds and garden plots in the upcoming gardening season. Suitable conditions for community events and outdoor learning will also be established.
In essence, the community garden is an expansion of the Pelgu community garden that has been operating in the same location. During construction, various high-raised beds will be added to the previously used raised beds, and conditions for gardening will be created for individuals with special needs and children. Different-sized garden plots will be established, a greenhouse and compost bins will be installed, and the existing tool shed will be adapted for better suitability. As a significant addition, Pelgu allotment garden will have water connections. The new urban garden will also feature street lighting, restrooms, and waste bins.
“The goal of the project is to support the growing interest among city residents in urban gardening and create a modern and convenient environment for it. Through the establishment of Pelgu allotment garden, we promote a good neighborly and environmentally friendly mindset, diversify public spaces, and contribute to the preservation of urban nature. This is also a symbolic project that carries forward the values of the Green Capital. With this innovative pilot project, we aim to set an example and share our experience with other areas of Tallinn and inspire municipalities across Estonia,” explains Deputy Mayor Vladimir Svet.
To facilitate leisure activities and community events, a roofed area and seating areas will be built, and a small play area will be constructed for children. Furthermore, the opportunity for outdoor learning will be established, which can be used by local educational institutions and other interested people. To diversify urban nature, various ornamental and edible plants, as well as fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, will be planted in the allotment garden.
A public procurement procedure was conducted for the design and construction of the nearly 3000 square meter allotment garden, and a contract was signed with Warren Teed Ltd. The main project for the allotment garden was developed based on the preliminary project prepared by F+A Landscape Architecture bureau, in close collaboration with the North Tallinn Government and the Pelguaed NGO.
According to Silver Seepter, project manager at Warren Teed Ltd, the necessary preparations are underway, and construction work will begin as planned. “We will start by preparing the necessary soil and installing water and rainwater drainage systems. We will then proceed with building the foundations of the facilities and street lighting, after which the pathways and squares will be completed, and finally new raised beds and garden plots will be constructed. We aim to install the equipment by October-November. Landscaping work will be carried out according to weather conditions.”
The contractual deadline for the completion of all works is February 2024. The works will be carried out from Monday to Friday between 8 AM and 5 PM, without disturbing nighttime peace of the locals. Road closures or changes in traffic arrangements will not occur due to the construction work. The cost of constructing the allotment garden, including design, is 393,600 euros.
The soon to be created allotment garden will become an important meeting place and attraction for people from all over Tallinn, in the context of the future Pollinator Highway. Tallinn is creating a nearly 14-kilometer-long Pollinator Highway traversing through eight city districts, six of which will become a biodiverse meadow-like natural environment, an inter-district green corridor, and a space for movement for both people and other species.
The construction of Pelgu allotment garden is being carried out within the project “Construction and follow-up activities of Pelgu allotment garden,” funded by the Environmental Investment Centre through the climate change adaptation measure of the European Economic Area. The project emphasizes universal design, adherence to principles of sustainable development, and the use of environmentally friendly solutions (such as rainwater collection and natural building materials).
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