Woodhouse Urban Park

Client: London Borough of Brent 

Project overview: 

Woodhouse Urban Park is an important component part of the regeneration of South Kilburn, which aims to transform the area, create a real sense of place and a better place to live. It offers an accessible, friendly and welcoming environment for the existing community, the wider community and the general public. The park was designed by Erect Architecture as part of the ambitious regeneration programme within South Kilburn. The design had input from the local community and features innovative, natural, robust and sustainable play provision, site furniture, a diverse landscaped scheme, new trees and species that will contribute significantly to the wider attractiveness of the local area.

Scope of works:

• Bespoke concrete seating
• Concrete platform
• Bespoke giant oak play structure with slide
• Imprinted concrete paths to include exposed aggregate finish
• Imprinted cuboids
• Construction of a stage area
• Wooden plants and Santa Barbara effects
• Installation of a bespoke giant oak play structure with slide, platforms and ropes
• Bespoke play equipment including balance beams, a nest swing, table tennis table, and trampoline Earth contouring and mounding
• Herbaceous and shrub planting with irrigation system, mature trees
• Removal of lead contaminated soil
• Installation of bespoke fencing
• Kerbing
• Concrete paths with exposed aggregate finish and areas of imprinted concrete

Social / added value: 

Engagement was made with the South Kilburn Trust Group in the early development stages of the new Friends of Woodhouse Urban Park group who will take ownership of the new park. Our teams engaged with group members throughout the project in order for them to understand the landscaping and ensure they take ownership in order to maintain and look after the park for years to come. The group, now the park is fully open to the public, will support:

• Voluntary litter picking days
• Neighbourhood Watch
• Applying for external funding streams
• Future maintenance and management
• The long term maintenance and management strategy
• Planning, running and facilitating events once the park open

The project was awarded a Principal BALI award in 2016 in the category of Regeneration and Community.

Challenges / overview: 

Material deliveries involved precision planning to mitigate site constraints. Delivery slots were implemented for suppliers in order to reduce risk of congestion in and around the site on narrow residential roads.

Coordination with estate officers was needed to manage the use of residential parking for site vehicles. It was essential to keep as many spaces possible available to residents and mitigate inconvenience to residents.