Public Park Transformed into an Urban Food Forest!
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- čas přidán 28. 02. 2024
- The City Food Commons shares the story of Roimata Food Commons, an urban permaculture food forest initiative driven by Ōtautahi Christchurch local Michael Reynolds. The aim of the project is to empower the community to co-create space in a public park, reviving the notion of the Commons, which was once so common in societies around the world.
Planting began in 2017 - “we got permission [from Council] to plant 30 trees, so we planted 65” - and the food forest systems of the park now contain over 100 fruit and nut trees, many of them heritage trees, as well as over 1000 native plants, herbs, berries, vegetables, flowers, and perennial plants.
Michael calls the Commons “a step away from the transactional relationship that dominates the way that we act in the world”. The term Commons refers to a space that holds or creates resources that are nurtured by the community for the long term benefit of the community.
While the community is welcomed to working bees and planting days, participating in them is not a criteria for accessing the fruit and vegetables within. This free access to quality organic food is one of the many benefits of this Commons. Another is the community connections created as a result of coming together in the space. In addition, Michael has been able to convince the local council to stop spraying and to reduce mowing, a massive cost saving to the council that it would benefit from if more public parks were managed in this way.
Like all projects of this nature, accessing funding to employ people to maintain the Commons and undertake the work of connecting the community around it is a constant and often inhibiting challenge. But once these projects really get going they can become community-managed and really prove their worth to the community. Please help us share this film and inspire others to undertake similar projects in their own public spaces!
If you'd like to help support us to make more films like this one, please consider joining our Patreon community! We release regular behind-the-scenes updates and exclusive content - / happenfilms
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More about Roimata Food Commons
Website: www.roimatafoodcommons.org
Instagram: / roimatafoodcommons
Facebook: / roimatafoodcommons
More about Happen Films
We make short and feature-length documentaries, all about permaculture, resilience and sustainability.
Website: happenfilms.com
Instagram: / happenfilms
Facebook: / happenfilms
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As someone who lives in an impoverished but land resource rich area of the US, I’d be grateful to learn about how this concept was presented to local city officials. Plenty of places to do something similar in my area, but not the political will.
Same here
Idk what indigenous relations is like in your area. But maybe teaming up with local first nations to make it a joint project?
Having regular foods interspersed with traditional indigenous food sources. Making it an educational activity, living history type thing, might help grease the wheels.
Make it seem less like a splitting from corporate thrall (which would be the only objection)
The key for us was being able to demonstrate the ability to steward the work over a long time period (building trust through conversations and planning processes. I believe as well that you can communicate the multiple layers of benefit to community and local ecology.
Gather a crew...get community support...allow space for co-creation.
Demonstrate how it will save or make money. Everything has to be quantifiably profitable to get past authorities.
@@michaelreynolds1740I second this - one of the key concerns, especially with perennial food plantings, is knowing that there's a plan for its ongoing care.
To Michael, what you've done with the park is incredible, something I always wished for Woolston which I called home for nearly 30 years. I was the woman with the ducks in Heathcote St, but we got notice and had to move away from Christchurch last year. I enjoyed receiving your food boxes, buying your pea straw, and I walked down and picked up much-needed food from the pataka kai more than once. For someone on the Supported Living Benefit it was such a blessing.
To Happen Films, thank you so much for making this and sharing this to the world so they can see a beautiful idea working well. Such gorgeous images of Woolston and East Christchurch. If I feel homesick for where I came from I know I can come here and watch this again.
Kia ora Janelle...thank you so much for your kindness 🙏 I have and will continue to try my best to be of service to life...and I am very lucky to have my amazing @happenfilms friends :)
So lovely to read this beautiful message!
Michael, you’re a good egg! The world needs more people like you. ❤
Thank you Helen :) I believe there are more people out there like me than we would think...but we have a really skewed perception around leadership that doesn't manifest in support of those leaders. After 10 years I still experience this...we need to support our leaders that are creating opportunities for a better future more...
@@michaelreynolds1740 definitely!
Thanks for promoting this. What a difference it would make if all our neighborhoods turned our attention to growing food on our own little plots. ❤
Thank you @18Bees for your enthusiasm and support!
This is how we used to access food, until the Enclosure Acts of the industrial revolution stripped us from access to the commons. That's where the word commoner comes from, one who goes to the commons.
The people were ayripped of their access to forage, grow, and graze, and it resulted in commoners being starved into the factories of the industrialists or onto the prision boats.
@@jaegrant6441 very much so...one of the motivations for this project is to reconnect people with our cultural practices that nourished us in ways that allowed humanity to survive.
There is such abundance to be witnessed when you view the world through a commoning lens...and what a joy that is!
This is so wonderful to see. Thank you. I just love that proud māmā. A great example of the power of grassroots community making a difference.
“One tree is enough to start you on your journey”. Fantastic.
It really is....but more than 1 is better still 😉
Every single time you post, my heart gets more inspired and filled up! Keep up the good films!!!
So nice to read that, thank you!
Yes! An idea that can be replicated in public parks all over the world!
Definitely...as long as there are stewards to hold that relationship of care for the life that emerges in such spaces :)
Hi ya such a good idea, all trees planted by council should be food trees congratulations 🇦🇺🥰
There is definitely a case for more fruit trees to be planted but ideally they need to be stewarded by a group of people that do so with love and care, not because it is on their maintenance schedule. I truly believe for these nourishing food systems to be in the commons, they need to emerge as a result of building relationships within communities.
Beautiful story. Michael's passion (and stubbornness 😂) to make this happen is truly inspiring. Well done on this amazing achievement.
Much gratitude 🙏 Stubbornness/perseverance is a have to have when working on the margins of community and governance structures...
Listening to Michael and seeing his project of passion flourishing was really heart warming
Yay...thank you ❤❤❤
I am finally going to my local Opawa Garden Community tomorrow morning as am dead keen to learn and share this nurturing Sustainable food healthy soil composting etc… in our wonderful neighbourhood 🌏😇💖
Also a very heartwarming and Inspiring podcast I Highly recommend you all must watch is Nate Hagens The Great Simplification with globally well known Permaculture guru Andrew Millison 🌏💖
This is gorgeous! A narrative so well put together. I grew up in the east side of Otautahi, Aranui. I took my sons on a tour around the east side a few years back. All I could see of my old school friends houses that I used to hang out in, was driveways leading to empty lots, heartbreaking! How awesome that you have created a beneficial community hub, and grow produce that heals the land and the people!!! Nurturing a future! Yes yes!!❤
This man speaks so beautifully and from his heart. A true hero. Thank you for your service to your local community and the world as a whole
Kia ora Jared...deepest gratitude my friend. I am glad you could feel my heart in my words...it's usually in there somewhere. Be nourished and well 🙏💚
@@michaelreynolds1740 ngā mihi e hoa
@@jaredtawharu9570 ngā mihi mahana e kare
Loved this, such a heartwarming story! ❤🌏☺️
Thank you...I am so happy to know your heart is warmed :)
Thank you very much, shared and saved to my THE SOLUTIONS playlist 🤝🍁💪
Nice! Thanks for sharing, it helps us a lot!
Thank you...just try to remember there are no solutions, only responses. Act with purpose and passion. Above all else...care ❤
Such a kind heart. Thank you so much for caring and the inspiration. You are a wonderful human.
AWESOME project ❣️❣️❣️
Ka pai to mahi!! This is really inspiring not only to feed and help the community but also so that kai is not going to waste. I'm keen to have this in Auckland especially the low social-economy areas. Keep up the awesome work whanau!
Ngā mihi nui! Yes, we'd love to see projects like this happening in parks all over the motu and all around the world. Bring it on!
Nga mihi nui 🙏 Trying my best to hold space for the good things to emerge...it can be done and there are folks in Tamaki Makaurau who are wanting to do these types of things too. We need to create a way for motivated people to connect 🤔
Your movies are just the best!
How Wonderful to see our local neighbourhood on this 🥗🕊🌏💖
Yay...a local!!! Thank you for popping your comment on here :)
Thank you for all you are doing. It means the world 🌿🕊️
This is beautiful and this is a future we can all love.
Thank you :) Yes...a future we can all love and steward for those not yet to be borne. It feels really important to be thinking about our legacy right now...what will the bards sing about us in the near or distant future? What stories are we writing right now?
Love the idea of bringing this to underused public spaces... thank you for sharing stories of positive change! May the wind blow these ideas and passion in all four directions ❤
Thanks for your words, Samantha, and for being such a great supporter of our work!
I have been trying to get my council to adopt this as the land management system for all our amenity spaces. Thank you so much for giving me an exemplary presentation of how this could work in our city in the UK.
Silverbeet/swiss chard, the easiest veg to grow. If everyone planted 3 plants it would soon help to feed your family. If the kids don't like it, cut it up small and put in chilli, stews, any casserole. One step at a time. Teach your kids to cook, take time to show them, it's the snowball of helping them learn about food.
Amazing!
Beautiful and inspiring project! Michael, I love your philosophies, thoughts and approach to people (f.e. meet heavier emotions with kindness). 🙏 Wishing you and your co-ops all the best!
Thank you Happen Films. 🌻
Kia ora Kara...thank you so much :) I am happy to have shared something that resonates with you 🙏 I am curious as to what you will do with the inspiration?
Beautiful, such an evolved soul 💜🦋💎🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Deepest gratitude @debbietaurus4855 🙏
This is so inspiring! It's wonderful to see how much enjoyment you get from doing what you love and giving to others and producing fabulously healthy food.
Thank you...I am stoked to hear you feel some inspiration!!! I do love it...even when it's hard....
Your stories are so inspiring and make us understand that the solutions are there, we just have to grab them and give it a start.❤
Yay...do it. Start a plan, find some allies...get stuck in :)
Fantastic video thank you :)
Very inspirational ❤
Yay!!!
Inspirational video. Fantastic job everyone evolved
Thank you so much :)
Wonderful and inspiring ! My mind is humming with ideas about how to do this here in my country. (Costa Rica) Much love to everyone involved. Thank you ! I love Michael's mother too !
Thank you @jean6453 :) I love my mum too!!!
You should be proud of him Mum!
Beautiful...thank you so much for your kindness :)
A fantastic film. How inspiring. We absolutely need more of these projects. Thank you for supporting and sharing this. Ka Pai to all the people involved at Roimata Food Commons. You are the change makers.
Thank you! Really glad to hear you enjoyed it. Let's hope the story of Roimata inspires many more of these projects to spring up.
Thank you @LovelyMsLaura ...so glad to hear that you felt inspired. It is critical that these stories build awareness (of the predicament that we find ourselves in) and inspire...so...Yay!
Wonderful ✨️ may it grow ♥️
Thank you so much...and believe me...there is no problem with growth!!! 💚
this is such a beautiful endeavor!
Deepest gratitude 🙏
This is SO inspiring!
Yay....it makes my day to hear that the inspiration is spreading :)
What a wonderful project and film! Congratulations to everyone involved! And please let this idea spread like seeds in the wind ...
Thank you so much Mattias 🙏 I just had the most vivid image of a dandelion, in the late afternoon sun, with the seeds scattered by a gentle breeze...beautiful. Thank you for your inspiring work too...
Thanks Mattias!
muchas gracias por su trabajo es realmente inspirador. vivo en Tandil, prov de buenos aires argentina, en un barrio formado por una asociacion civil de docentes y en una plaza de uso comun, hemos construido un food forest, para uso comunitario. es un lugar donde compartimos momentos y frutos. es muy enriquecedor. Nuestro desafio es poder aumentar el numero de participantes voluntarios . los videos que realzan son muy importantes para nuestra comunidad. siempre hay algunaporte creativo para mejorar nuestra experiencia. Felicitaciones
AWESOME MAHI!!!well done!!!Passion and heaps of hard work Taukē koutou🙌🏽
Kia ora @puthputhnz 🙏 We are trying our best...it is hard work - both physically and getting the community involved...but we have fun and eat delicious kai... :)
And this is how we change the world
Wonderful, your project gives me hope for humanity
Beautiful video, really interesting topic and a great idea. Thank you for sharing.
Really pleased you enjoyed the story...there are many chapters yet to be written :)
This is an amazing project!! Gives me lots to think about and plan for a location close to me. Thank you!!
Glad you found it inspiring!
Really enjoyed this episode!!! Such great work and vision….. Well done to all involved 👏 👏
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you so much ❤
Amazing
So incredibly inspiring!! Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you so much 🥰
amazing !
Beautiful!
That's so great 🌱🌝👍
I love this!❤
Beautiful❤️
Thank you 🙏💚
Good work
Ka mau te wehi! Tukuna te reo kia rere 👍
I would imagine that you need people living close by to work the land in order for this to be successful.
5:30 you could preserve some of it for times of scarcity. My nan has been pickling and bottling and jamming since ♾️
Just joined Patreon and donated the max. I’ve rated you guys since you did an amazing job of my mate Brett Coopers place. So well done hey!
Keep up the amazing work, you’re making a great difference!! 👊🏼👊🏼
Thanks so much for your support! Glad to hear you’ve been following us for a while. Appreciate it 🙏
I have shared this globally and local as so Inspiring to see our taking care let alone rejuvenating our earths soils Also watch Nate Hagens pod cast with globally well known soil scientist Vandana Shiva 😇
I'm a big fan of The Great Simplification podcast too...brilliant conversations ❤
Thank you for sharing the story too 🙏🏼
There's way too much space wasted in parks. This is a great concept!
Thank you :) Yes...I agree that there are a lot of spaces in parks that could be utilised in ways that are far more nourishing and impactful to the local community than just grass. I look forward to hearing about your local food forest ;)
What a beautiful concept,,,we need to initiate this in Washington where I live,,,I would love to be a part of a project like this. ❣️❣️
Do it 😊
🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻
❤❤❤
Their is one at Kaiapoi also
I’m sorry but I’m trying to catch the name of the building that stores food.
My wife and I recently started a community garden and I love this idea.
Ok❤❤❤
Great scheme. But those boxes are massive. Surely there's a waste issue there?
Thanks Dan...we had varying sizes of boxes and some of those boxes had extras that people purchased...a few people used to share a box with a neighbour or just pass on items they didn't fancy...
A common land was the normal before the enclosure act became the law in UK, this then gave the rich and powerful the opportunity to buy it up and then take away the peoples ability to grow food or graze livestock. The result was as you will expect starvation and deprivation. The only time we had a drive for food freedom was the Dig to victory in WW2
Yes...common land and rights of access to resources were normal at a time before feudalism kicked into gear. We still have commons of sorts- public libraries, community swimming facilities, parks are all forms of commons. We just need to hold onto them and inspire people to start creating a deeper relationship with these spaces...
Great also to add to food banks which generally have long life not nutritious food!!!
We would, ideally, like to see no need for foodbanks. They are the sign of system that is not fit for purpose or designed for a purpose that is not aligned to supporting life. We see the need for them in the short term, however, we need to be designing and participating in a system that nourishes everyone equally.
🦙
This guy sounds like Chris luxon
I am not sure I like that comparison...???
@@michaelreynolds1740 just the voice😬 excuse me😞
@@uggali oh...well at least it is only that and not the words + sentiments I share...he is not a man to be admired...
I'm infuriated at the tree cutting terrorists...
Notice that it's things the GOVERNMENT does that's creates fragility, and not the things that free people do on the anti-fragile free market.
The "pandemic" did little to affect food production- it was unnecessary government actions that created the long term problems. (And many of the short term ones too)
would love to do this in Japan but im not sure how the council would feel,,, ill ask my friends anyway for a better way forward
Amazing
Thank you so much :)
Wonderful❣️🌿🫶🏼🫂