Othona Coastal Park
a restoration project
This project concerns the restoration of an old pigsty, an overgrown pond and neglected grassland. The aim, to restore this wasteland into an environmental educational park for the Othona Community in Essex. In July 2015 I was asked to project manage this and I wanted to do this first and foremost as an Artist.
Realising that there was a narrative to be held with this landscape I chose the blue printing method to make this relationship with the landscape visible. The work involves a restoration and reusing of an old pigsty, the restoration of the reed beds and pond these are part of the sewage system and are ecologically very important, the landscaping of the whole area, the designing of outdoor information boards of the site, involvement of the community and the reinstating of aesthetics in the site as an entry onto the narrative with the landscape. Once restored the park will be an asset to the Othona Community and their environmental and educational aims.
The restoration started in August 2015 and ended with an opening ceremony on June the 2nd 2016. This project covers the second year of my MA studies Sculptural Practise at the University of Essex and has been presented as my part of the degree exhibition on the 22nd June 2016 at the Minories in Colchester.
The slide show underneath will give a overview of the changes throughout the project.
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Involvement of the community.
December 2015 Flag printing workshop, using the blue print method. The flags are printed with photo's from the archive on one side and plant material from the restoration site on the reverse. These flags sewn into bunting, have been used during the opening ceremony in 2016.
December 2015 Flag printing workshop, using the blue print method. The flags are printed with photo's from the archive on one side and plant material from the restoration site on the reverse. These flags sewn into bunting, have been used during the opening ceremony in 2016.
The tiles for in the new outdoor classroom were printed from plant material found in and around the Othona site. Again I used the Victorian method of blue printing to achieve a tiled panel of light and form.
The board walk is a pathway of 50 planks printed with fragmities. This path connects the pond dipping platform and the restored pigsty thus forming a circular walk. The slides underneath will show the visual research I have done to connect with the landscape. A prototype of the boardwalk has been exhibited In the Minories Art gallery in Colchester as part of the MA Sculptural Practise 'Pathway' Exhibition and in the First Site Open exhibition also in Colchester.
Opening ceremony and award
www.maldonandburnhamstandard.co.uk/news/14535184.Othona_Community_Coastal_Park_is_officially_opened/
The Othona Coastal park was highly commended by Maldon District Council in their yearly Conservation and and design award scheme in the category Nature Conservation 2016.
NATURE CONSERVATION HIGHLY COMMENDED
Bradwell Othona Coastal Park
This award is for the conversion of a scrubby area on the grounds of the Othona Community, for the purpose of nature study. It lies adjacent to a pond which was originally dug for fire safety purposes, but is now a haven for wildlife. A dilapidated pig sty has been adapted as an education area. Adjoining the former pigsty, a courtyard seating area has been created, and from this a boardwalk leads to dipping platforms. A birdhide has also been built.
The judges thought this was an excellent project. They admired the educational facilities on offer and the fact the work had been done by volunteers. The structures have been built in a way that does not detract from the character of the area. The boardwalk has been printed with shadows of phragmites, which the judges felt was remarkably attractive and appropriate.
The design was drawn up by community artist Angenita Hardy-Teekens as part of her MA Sculptural Practice, architect Susanne Kelly and Peter Baird builder and site manager. The work was carried out by volunteers working in Othona.
From left to right: Kevin Bruce, School Groups Coordinator for Othona; Susan Kelley, architect; Cllr Peter Elliot; Chairman of Maldon District Council; Angenita Hardy-Teekens, artist and designer; Cllr Penny Channer, Heritage Representative for Maldon District Council; Peter Baird, builder
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Pond dipping at the Coastal Park
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