King Edward Memorial Park Foreshore

King Edward Memorial Park Foreshore is the location of one of the most polluting sewer overflows into the river. The site is located in a small area along the foreshore of the public park.

To ensure that as little public space as possible is used, we extended the site out into the river to provide the additional space required.

Our work here diverts the sewage into the new super sewer as it passes by 60m below as well as extend the park with new land for terraces and seating.

View of the cofferdam

Aerial view

Artist Impression

Brand new

Riverside Space

A new 2,600m2 public space has extended King Edward Memorial Park with seating, public art and enhancements to the Thames Path.

The enhanced space promotes a reconnection with the river, with a range of seating from which to enjoy the south-facing aspect and wide-open views of the River Thames, including a long timber bench that wraps around the lowest terrace. To bring park users closer to the river, the design incorporates floodable public realm – higher tides will overtop the river wall onto the western section of the lower walkway, providing an opportunity for the public to dip their toes into the river.

There is level access to the new public space and varied seating options provided to cater for different needs. The coloured asphalt, concrete and granite paving provides a consistent smooth surface across the space.

Two grass mounds slope upwards from the central area of the new public realm and there is low perennial planting and new trees. There is also an intertidal terrace habitat and a textured river wall, which provides spaces for fauna and invertebrates. The mechanical and electrical kiosk features a planted brown roof, to add to the park’s biodiversity.

Located across the area are six sculptures by Hew Locke OBE. This unique flotilla of cast bronze boats represents the history of the Thames and the shifting population of the East End and it creates a trail linking the new public realm with the park. More detail is in the panel below.

The new space is the first part of a new masterplan for the park by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and the new public realm has been integrated with the rest of the park, including the Grade II listed Rotherhithe Tunnel Rotunda ventilation building and the bandstand.

Before construction the original children’s playground was permanently relocated and re-designed in consultation with the local community, giving different play offers for a range of needs.

Pedestrian access through the park has been improved by creating an accessible east-west route and a new, wider Thames Path boulevard realigned through the park, with a new entrance on Glamis Road.

Kew Locke

Cargoes

The ‘cultural meander’ or heritage theme for the East section of the tunnel is ‘The Shipping Parishes – Gateway to the World’. Within this heading, the site-specific narrative for King Edward Memorial Park is Sailortown, international diaspora and progressive politics.

The artist Hew Locke, in response to the Heritage Interpretation Strategy (HIS) has developed an artwork which takes its inspiration from the site’s close historical links with the mercantile and dock communities and the impact of former British maritime power and trading empire on different ethnic, social and economic groups, both locally and internationally. Hew’s response is to create several sculptural boats which relate to this timescale and associated activities.

In order to develop the design of the sculptures he has gathered information on the appropriate heritage of the boats, their decoration and symbolism. In many cultures ships are symbolic of a persons’ passage through life and as a container of the soul. Histories will be suggested by specific decorative details and cargos, which has been the focus of his consultation.

Hew Locke - Cargoes

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King Edward Memorial Park Foreshore