Perth 6006 WA
http://www.perthculturalcentre.com.au/What%27s-Growing/About-Urban-Orchard/
Photo Courtesy of the Perth Cultural Centre Website.
The Urban Orchard is a green area developed after refurbishing the fringe space beside the Art Gallery and Perth Train Station, of which only the sculpture "Before 1978-1980" remains.
I have a mix of feelings about the Orchard. On one hand, it is great having a public edible garden in the heart of the city used as an educational area, with seedbeds containing a mix of seasonal vegetables and herbs, and scheduled free activities for school children and adults to learn and improve their gardening skills. The harvest & planting days, organised at the start of the summer and winter seasons, are perfect for that. It is also great having a wide green space with a seating area in Northbridge for your lunch, ciggie or coffee breaks, to use as a meeting point, or for the Fringe Festival to set their colourful caravans and vans.
So much thought put into the concept and so little into the design, which is not creative at all. The orchard doesn't feel as an orchard, not even earthy, but more like a lawn and concrete seating area similar to the one in Forrest Chase (now being redeveloped). Besides, and practically speaking, the shading is very limited and the place not good for seating during hot or rainy days - it is perfect for the lettuces and the herbs to look at the sky and enjoy the natural elements.
