Oasis at the Overground: shelter from city stress under canopy of trees

A young couple stroll through Dalston Eastern Curve Garden

Wading through the throng of commuters outside Dalston Junction station, the last thing you would expect is to be submerged into a peaceful floral oasis across the road.

The Dalston Eastern Curve Garden is a communal green space built on an old 1950s railway track. It has been open to the public since the summer of 2010.

As well as providing visitors with a lush open space, the garden works with young people through local organisations, schools and charities, and offers activities ranging from workshops to catering for children’s parties.

These activities arose out of a 2008 initiative called Making Space for Dalston, run by Hackney Council and development body Design for London.

“We have particularly strong relationships with community schools like Brook Community School,” says Marie Murray, who co-ordinates the garden and runs it with her business partner Brian Cumming.

As a professional gardener and garden designer, Marie has the perfect profile for the project.

“We now regularly run Hackney Adult Learner’s Week, a Hackney Adult Learners Trust initiative, where we put on a number of free adult workshops,” says Marie.

So what do the workshops involve?

“In the past we’ve done gargoyle stone carving, herbal remedies, puppet making, patchwork – all using recycled materials,” she says.

The garden also works with Off Centre, a Hackney-based charity that supports young people through therapy,
advice and training.

Off Centre launched their project, The Right Track, at the garden and has been involved in the green space from the very beginning.

“They painted the kiosks here and went on to become part of our steering group,” Marie says. “They still continue to do projects here, and most recently launched Hackney Young People Outdoors – a gardening project.”

But aside from Marie and Brian’s mission to provide activities for the community, the essence of the garden’s purpose is to provide a shared green space.

The social aspect of the space has long been appreciated by local residents who flock to the garden seven days a week come rain or shine.