New garden will benefit community

CHILDREN will be busy digging, planting and growing their own flowers and veg after a new garden was opened in Clondalkin.

The Enchanted Garden was on Tuesday opened at the Ace Enterprise Park, a community development organisation with premises in Bawnogue and Neilstown.

Ace provides support, training and flexible workspace to small and medium sized businesses from within their village-style layout, which is home to many different start-up and scale-up companies.

Ace’s latest venture saw them work in conjunction with Startbright Creche in Bawnogue, the South Dublin County Partnership, Dublin Dun Laoghaire Education Training Board and Core Builder Providers to plant a new project at the Ace Enterprise Park.

Fiona Sheridan is the Project Leader of StartBright Bawnogue Early Learning Centre, which is based in the Ace Enterprise Park.

“We are delighted to have been given this wonderful Enchanted Garden for the children that attend our service,” Fiona said.

“The opportunity for the children to dig and plant, and see flowers, shrubs, herbs and vegetables grow is something that is very exciting.

“The Enchanted Garden was a collaboration from so many ideas that included the voice of the child, Educators, Gardeners, and every other adult that tapped into their childhood memories.

“We wanted the garden to be full of living growth and providing changes in colours and changes in seasonal light, but to allow for exploration and creativity – the feeling of dirt in their hands and grass between their toes – all of which I think has been achieved.

“We, in StartBright Bawnogue recognise how lucky we have been to have this wonderful garden available to us, with thanks to all the people that created this…”

The garden was funded by Ace Enterprise, with Startbright Creche also contributing and Core Builder Providers in Clondalkin providing off-cuts and donating surplus materials.

Thanks were issued to the many people and organisations that supported the project from conception to fruition, and who have created this enchanted space for children to learn, play and grow in.

The Enchanted Garden will also be open to the community to enjoy.

Learn more about Ace Enterprise Park HERE.