The new brick-paved community space enhances the existing park, providing a new pedestrian entrance, permanent seating and multifunctional public realm. Situated in the north-eastern corner, the space provides an accessible step-free route into the park and creates opportunities for different activities throughout the year.

It includes a new footpath which connects the park more directly with the town centre. In line with London Borough of Wandsworth policies, an un-gated approach was required and ornamental gates, formerly on Buckhold Road, have been relocated elsewhere in the park.

A large retained Red Oak, surrounded by a new natural granite low wall with bronze inlaid lettering, is the main visual marker of the new entrance. The slightly elevated space maximises the view to the south over the ornamental lake to the rest of the park.

The space integrates artwork by Yemi Awosile – for more detail see the panel below. As well as featuring this artwork on its facades, the site’s permanent operational building has a 22.5m2 brown/biodiverse roof.  The bronze ventilation column features a bespoke poem by Dorothea Smartt referencing the River Wandle.

A total of 21 semi-mature and mature trees and shrubs have been planted across the site and a new swale (a sustainable drainage solution) integrated into the grass area to capture and hold rainwater. Thirty trees were planted before construction works began.