Grow Forrest Hill: Nourishing and nurturing community
Write-up and Photos by James Beck
“This garden is a physical space within a community, recognising that placemaking is really part of human flourishing. It’s a place where our kids can experience what it feels like to be loved, to be connected to your place, to know your neighbours”
Listen to an Eco Church Kōrero with Dave Atkinson - where he shares with James Beck about the Grow Forrest Hill journey and the hopes and dreams about how a garden can nourish and nurture a community.
At Eco Church, we believe that caring for creation is a divine calling, one that connects us with God, creation, and our neighbors. Grow Forrest Hill is a beautiful embodiment of this mission and I got to see it for myself.
The project which was started by Dave and Phoebe Atkinson, is nestled in the heart of Auckland’s North Shore. Grow Forrest Hill is more than a garden — it's a space that nurtures and nourishes connection and community. Dave said “This garden is a physical space within a community, recognising that placemaking is really part of human flourishing. It's a place where our kids can experience what it feels like to be loved, to be connected to your place, to know your neighbours."
Every Sunday, the community gathers for "working bees" from 2-4 pm, where they harvest fresh produce, learn gardening skills, and connect over kai. These sessions grow both vegetables and they nurture a sense of belonging. Part of the success of the project is Dave and Phoebe’s commitment to show up no matter what. Dave said, "One of the key things that we committed to really early on, was meeting every single week. Rain or shine, we’re here with raincoats because we wanted our neighbors to know it's on every Sunday and they can come down whenever they feel like it."
The garden is designed to be both functional and beautiful. As Dave said, "One of the things we wanted to do at the garden was that we really wanted beauty to be part of our kaupapa." Their beautiful design includes raised beds made of Macrocarpa, compost bins, a storage shed, an outdoor kitchen, and a glasshouse, all contributing to a space that is as aesthetically pleasing as it is productive.
Grow Collective's commitment to education shines through their various workshops. These sessions cover an array of topics, from sustainable gardening practices to healthy cooking demonstrations in their new outdoor kitchen, making it a vibrant hub of learning and engagement. In our conversation Dave said, “We have a lot of people that turn up. We have elderly, we have young children, we have people that have recently immigrated here. It’s predominantly a social gathering rather than a gardening gathering.”
In addition to their weekly gatherings and workshops, Grow Forrest Hill hosts community dinners, fostering deeper connections through shared meals. The produce harvested during working bees is distributed among volunteers, ensuring that the fruits of their labour benefit all who contribute.
This initiative aligns perfectly with our values at Eco Church, reminding us of the importance of community, sustainability, and care for God's creation. We are inspired by Grow Forrest Hill’s efforts and encourage everyone to visit their garden, join a working bee, or attend a workshop.
For more information about Grow Forrest Hill and their upcoming events, visit Grow Collective.