Purposeful Outdoor Spaces for the Community. Civosity Park by David Engwitch
Last month we talked about stimulation and creating indoor spaces with purpose. This month, thanks to our guest on DEB Talks, David Engwicht we are talking about outdoor spaces with purpose! We had a great time with David when he came into the office, (be sure to watch Part 1 of the interview here). This month we are entranced by Civosity Park – this is the formal name of David’s own private front garden, turned public space. Complete with public library, generously donated sculptures and artworks, recliners and deck chairs, a play café, rocking horses and toys. A project that tells the story of using private space for public good and sums up David’s ethos, that home should not be limited to the house one lives in, but should encompass the entire city and community.
For David, Home is a place you belong, where one feels grounded and connected. As David says in his e-book ‘Place’ “For many people, the only home territory they have left is a small space in their house.” This sounds pretty similar for a resident in aged care - small room within a large aged care facility.
He goes on, “and even there, locked behind their security bars, they don’t feel totally at home. Fear of crime and ‘stranger danger’ have resulted in people locking themselves in the privacy bubble of their home and car… Is it possible for ordinary people to reclaim this sense of place in their neighbourhood or the town centre? Is it possible for retailers to increase the viability of their shopping street, by providing a commodity that the large malls can never produce – an authentic sense of home and place?” (A free download here and highly recommended read.)
David asks these questions often and the answer, of course, is yes as shown by his front garden. A public space that has grown beyond him, it has seen countless volunteers and artists come through to help contribute to its growth. There is an obvious sense of pride in the space from everyone that visits.
David says: “We can all take responsibility for creating that sense of community that we all hanker for.”
“Re-humanise the space in front of your house and send the message that community matters, neighbourhood matters.”
‘Civosity Park’, is named by combining the words ‘civility’ and ‘generosity.’ Although David coined the use of this word years ago, the name truly fits the spirit and the place. If you are in Brisbane be sure to check it out. Learn more about the project on Gardening Australia here!
Images from Creative Communities International Facebook Page, and website. Watch the DEB Talk with David here.