Oxford City Council is donating elements of Broad Meadow to six local organisations in locations across the city after the scheme ends.
Broad Meadow – a temporary pedestrian-friendly outdoor space containing wildflowers, trees and small lawns – was officially opened on 01 July 2021 for residents and visitors to meet friends and family throughout the summer.
The council prioritised using local suppliers, recycled materials and always planned to re-use the furniture and as much of the infrastructure as possible when the scheme ended.
Following a careful application process, the council has identified six local charities and organisations that will receive elements of Broad Meadow in the coming weeks.
When the temporary scheme finishes on 10 October, items such as planters, seating, plants and turf will be removed and re-used by the following organisations:
- Blackbird Leys Adventure Playground
- Cowley Children’s Allotment
- Marston Community Gardening
- Oxford Urban Wildlife Group
- St Ebbe’s Primary School
- St Mary Magdalen Church
Each of the six organisations has demonstrated a commitment to delivering ongoing public benefit from Broad Meadow. They will be receiving assets designed for the temporary scheme on Broad Street not appropriate for longer-term use on the highway.
Broad Meadow has been one of Oxford city centre’s largest outdoor public spaces and has helped promote the safe use of the city centre over the summer in support of Oxford’s economic recovery.
The council wants the experience to inform the development of longer-term options for creating better civic spaces on Broad Street and other parts of the city.
It is encouraging all Oxford residents, workers, students and visitors to comment on Broad Meadow and shape plans to create an outdoor public space on the whole of Broad Street permanently.
A consultation questionnaire is available on the council’s dedicated Citizen Space consultation portal at https://consultation.oxford.gov.uk/ until 29 October.
“Broad Meadow has given us a great place to meet, socialise and relax in Oxford city centre over the summer. Re-using the furniture, planters and plants that created such a great outdoor space means that many more people can continue to benefit from the scheme when it ends.
“If you haven’t already, I’d encourage you to visit Broad Meadow this weekend, as it is the last chance to enjoy the space this year. Long-term, this council would like to see more pedestrian-friendly spaces throughout the city, including the pedestrianisation of all of Broad Street on a permanent basis.”
—Councillor Tom Hayes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Green Transport and Zero Carbon at Oxford City Council
St Ebbe’s Primary School is receiving wooden planters and furniture from the Broad Meadow site.
“We have quite a few keen gardeners at the school who will be very excited about the planters and learning more about plants.
“We are planning to put the wooden seating in our playground and on our field where it will be used every day by our children during playtime and outdoor learning sessions.”
—Phil Doubtfire, School Business Manager
The Children’s Allotment is receiving reclaimed wood from the scheme.
“Over the last three years, we’ve been renovating a formerly dilapidated allotment site to provide a community outdoor education and forest school site.
“We have recently installed a polytunnel, and the wood will be really useful to build more raised beds for growing.”
—Alice Hemming, founder and project coordinator
