Boosting water friendliness in 1000 Tilburg gardens
The Blue Gardens citizens initiative is aiming to boost the water friendliness of 1000 gardens in the municipality of Tilburg within three years. Residents can help to climate-proof their city by collecting rainwater or having rainwater infiltrate into the soil, or by replacing pavement with greenery. The organisation is launching a wide range of creative activities to realise water-friendly gardens, such as its successful rain barrel campaign, a gargoyle workshop for children, and a coffee route featuring visits to existing blue gardens to inspire local residents.
Image: Water-friendly garden (photo: Janneke de Vries).
Rain barrel campaign
The citizens initiative has come up with several creative campaigns to garner attention for water-friendly gardens. Residents have received a discount on rain barrels. However, it was the aftercare which has made the campaign a success. Every time a resident purchased a discount rain barrel, the organisation would have a team of volunteers waiting to transport the rain barrel to his or her home and install its water overflow kit.
Creating gargoyles
During a workshop, children created clay moulds to make bioplastic gargoyles. The gargoyles are fitted on rainspouts which have been disconnected from the sewer system. Thus, every home will have a happy face directing water to the garden.
Coffee route
Nine residents owning a water-friendly garden opened their doors during a spontaneous campaign. Those interested could walk in and get advice. While enjoying a cup of coffee, residents could thus gain inspiration for water-proofing their own gardens.
Blue Garden Day in collaboration with Groenrijk Garden Centre
During the Week of Our Water, the blue garden team was on standby at the Groenrijk garden centre to provide patrons with free garden advice. In addition, they organised a colouring picture contest and a Garden Wheel of Fortune.
#Pavement Lovers campaign in collaboration with National Water Traineeship
In collaboration with the Blue Gardens initiative, several trainees of the National Water Traineeship set up the #Pavement Lover campaign to encourage residents to replace their pavement with greenery. Residents are encouraged to calculate their garden score on the Blue Gardens website. Every 25th participant in the garden score wins a 25-euro garden gift certificate to be redeemed at Groenrijk garden centre.
Result after one year
The garden score on the 1000 Blue Gardens Tilburg website was completed by 333 residents. The rain barrel campaign prompted 230 residents to purchase a rain barrel. 35 children created a gargoyle to fix on the downspouts of their home. And the Blue Gardens Facebook page attracted 932 followers.
Lessons to be learned
Over the past year, initiator Janneke de Vries of the OpGoedeVoet foundation has found out what works best to enthuse residents to blue their gardens. Ms De Vries has concluded that citizens initiatives tend to garner more response among residents than government plans. In addition, it is important to set a good example and provide support to residents who intend to make their property sustainable. Finally, De Vries emphasises that anything offered free of charge is not fully appreciated. This means that it is perfectly alright to charge a fee for workshops or activities.
Contact person
Janneke de Vries
Janneke@opgroenevoet.nl