Government Office for London Annual Review 2001-2002 | Download the Complete Review in PDF Format here
Park Yourself Here
Londoners haven't seen a riverside park opened in over 50 years… but now the £14 million Thames Barrier Park has arrived in Silvertown.
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(Thames Barrier Park has arrived in Silvertown) |
Until recently, this new and beautiful relaxation and recreation spot was an ugly 22 acres of derelict and toxic brownfield by the Thames. However, after an international design competition, Groupe Signes, Patel Taylor, and engineering firm Arup moved in to create a visionary park, open to everyone. With an exquisite water fountain flowing onto a sumptuous landscaped garden called 'Green Dock', Thames Barrier Park has won praise from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the American Institute of Architecture (AIA), as well as the United Kingdom's Civic Trust Award 2002 for landscape design. The site also features a riverside promenade, a playground, a basketball court and a 'Pavilion of Remembrance' that commemorates local war fatalities. |
As Architecture Week pointed out, the winning team knew "they were not only designing a park, they were setting the scene for the future architectural composition of the area". And, since being opened by the Mayor in November 2001, Arup have noted that "The new park is having an immediate impact on the regeneration of the local area.
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Sites around the park have been sold to private developers for residential use and other sites in the vicinity are rapidly becoming available for redevelopment". Tons of Londoners are now discovering this green, riverside sanctuary from the capital's dust and grime - and there's no excuse not to. The park has disabled facilities, is open all week, and easily found via Canning Town station and the 69 bus to the City Airport - the park is en route. (Thames Barrier) |
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