Putting a spring in Londoners’ steps…
The last year has seen a huge jump in the number of people using London’s 3,000 parks and open spaces. They have proved a vital lifeline during the pandemic, giving Londoners much needed room for recreation, fitness and wellbeing. London’s green spaces also help to protect the city from the impacts of climate change: they offer shade, shelter and space for nature, and help boost air and water quality.
If we want our parks to continue providing these important services, we must continue to invest in them. The Mayor recognises this too. Since 2018 he’s invested £2.1m from his Green Capital grants programme to improve six of London’s big green spaces. From outdoor swimming and gym sessions to new ponds and changing the course of rivers, these projects show how to design and manage parks to benefit both people and wildlife.
As London heads out of lockdown, many of these parks will be holding belated celebrations. In the meantime, here’s what you can look forward to later this spring.
Gurnell to Greenford Greenway, Ealing
This new walking and cycling route by the river Brent connects Greenford town centre and Gurnell Leisure Centre. Volunteers, the ‘Gurnell-Greenford Greenwayers’, helped clean up the river, while new wetlands were added to reduce flooding and improve water quality. The result is a rich, biodiverse landscape of meadows, woodland and orchards. There are even new outdoor gyms and a forest school for local children.
“It has been a pleasure walking in the park and seeing the changes taking place, especially during the Covid 19 Pandemic when our movements are restricted. I have lived in Costons Avenue for 65 years but rarely visited the park as it used to be a dull, empty and slightly intimidating open space” - Cathy, local resident
Photo: Charlie Merritt Adjetey
Beckenham Place Park swimming lake, Lewisham
This new 285-metre long swimming lake (pictured above) opened during the National Park City Festival in July 2019. Created as part of the park’s £6m heritage restoration, it’s been a big hit with ‘wild’ swimmers and wildlife alike. Places where people can cool off will help us stay healthy and happy as our summers sizzle. The swimming lake is due to reopen for swimming at the end of March.
Photo: GLA
Silkstream Valley Parks, Barnet
These 16 hectares of parkland now feel safer, more welcoming and accessible, thanks to improvements made last summer. Rewilding the stream banks and new wetlands have already attracted wildlife and reduced flooding downstream. Visitors can also enjoy new play spaces, a skate park and, once lockdown’s been lifted, a community cafe.
“Thanks for such a fantastic job done on Silkstream and Montrose Parks. I use them very regularly now for my once a day exercise during the lockdown” - local resident
“Silkstream and Montrose are lovely, well-maintained parks. I frequently run around the parks and appreciate having the excellent green space so close to where I live, particularly at present." - local resident
Photo: Jon Sheaff and Associates
The Ripple Greenway, Barking
This new 1.3km (0.8 mile) walking and cycling route has opened-up a previously unloved and underused green space. Co-designed with residents, the linear route now links communities to the Thames at Barking Riverside. It offers natural play features, places to sit and an improved waterside landscape with over 100 new trees. Robert MacFarlane and Jackie Morris have created a ‘Lost Words’ trail with artist Katy Hallett showcasing the park’s new plant life.
“I’ve lived next to this place for 12 years and I never used to come down here - it didn’t feel safe. Kind of amazing how something so simple can make such a big difference. Everyone comes here now - families, runners, cyclists. I come here to work out. You’ve brought this place to life.” - Quincy, local resident
Photo: Sustrans
Headstone Manor Park, Harrow
A series of ponds with reed beds to clean water now flow into the park’s 14th century moat. This new feature has improved water quality and provided a much-needed wetland habitat. The ponds also link to new housing nearby, creating accessible green routes into Wealdstone town centre. Later this year visitors will be able to enjoy pond dipping and outdoor learning activities.
"It’s been great seeing the changes down there…..can’t wait for picnics by the stream either!!!" - local resident
“The reed planting day was a great experience and showed a real community spirit, with everyone getting involved and still managing to end the session with a smile on their face even if it looked as if we had all had a mud face mask applied!” - local volunteer
Photo: Harrow Council
Albany Park, Enfield
Albany Park is being transformed from flat playing fields into a rich, biodiverse landscape with water, play, sport and space for nature. The Turkey Brook which runs along the northern edge of the park is being released from its concrete channel into a new, more natural course within the park. This will protect hundreds of nearby properties from flooding. It will also create new habitats for wildlife and a beautiful parkland for people to enjoy.
Photo: Enfield Council
Facts and stats:
The Green Capital projects have:
- Improved over 117 hectares of green space
- Restored over 31 hectares of habitat
- Planted nearly 29,000 trees
As part of his work to make London greener, the Mayor has funded planting of over 330,000 trees, with funding committed for another 90,000, including in two new accessible woodlands. His Greener City Fund has also supported the improvement of over 400 hectares of green space and involved over 60,000 Londoners in making their city greener.