COMMUNITY GARDEN

The Community Forest Garden is a physical manifestation of Rockaway's vision. It is more than just a garden; it is an educational resource, a haven for biodiversity, and a practical example of permaculture principles in action, creating a magical space that is accessible to all. The garden also services the Cafe with most of its ingredients. 

  • Our garden volunteer scheme runs on Mondays and Thursdays under the guidance of our wonderful Head Gardener, Penny Austin.

    Anyone is welcome to join our team for a wide variety of tasks, from gentle to vigorous. As a thank you, we provide a delicious free lunch from the Vegan Café for all volunteers

  • Donate and help us continue developing the garden, we welcome donations of money, plants, seeds, and tools. Every contribution helps us create additional terraced beds, establish wildlife ponds, and improve accessibility for all visitors.

  • The garden serves multiple purposes: it provides a beautiful space for visitors to enjoy, acts as an educational tool for sustainable agriculture, and supplies "zero miles" fresh, organic produce for our Vegan Café. Visitors are always welcome to wander the pathways and admire the views from the gorgeous hand-carved bench.

  • We are planning to create an art trail within the garden, themed around the principle of R-Evolve: reclaiming, recycling, and repurposing materials. The trail will feature sculptures and interactive areas that create a beautiful sensory experience, highlighting the symbiosis between art and nature.