East side improvements update

Large areas of the improved park have now reopened and recent extreme weather events have seen the flood mitigation measures in action.

River Ravensbourne

Extreme weather over the weekend of 22nd of September 2024, causing floods and travel chaos across London, also saw the newly built flood alleviation scheme in action for the first time.

On Sunday 22nd of September, river flow levels in the Ravensbourne were at their highest levels for the past decade. As designed, river water diverted into the newly created sunken meadows and then flowed back into the Ravensbourne as the rain stopped and river flows subsided. In the face of climate change, the scheme provides flood protection benefits to many residential and commercial properties downstream as well as enhancing ecosystems and biodiversity within the park.

Over the coming months we will be undertaking more enhancements to the river channel itself to further improve the health of the river and enrich the river and riverbank vegetation and habitats.

Sunken Meadows and New Nature Pond

New grass and wildflower meadows and tree planting are establishing well in the sunken meadows with a few smaller areas being left for seeding in the autumn.

In the new nature pond at the south of the area, water-loving plant species are also becoming established.

New Play and Activity Features

The new playground is now fully opened and has been hugely popular over the summer holidays.

New picnic tables and seating around the play area and on the riverbank have proved to be particularly well-liked spots for relaxation.

The playground is designed and equipped to be accessible for users with mobility disabilities, such as wheelchair users and to be able to be used by as many people as possible, both with and without disabilities.

The extensive planting of the play area adds a lush natural character and temporary fencing helps protects these newly planted areas whilst they become established.

The new Multi use games area close to the Old Bromley Road entrance is due to be completed by November and the Gym activity equipment opens soon. The skate ramp and BMX track are open as always.

Just to the east of the railway line, the new mountain bike trails, twisting their way through an area of grassy mounds, are planned to be open by November following final grass seeding of the area. We will also be undertaking further tree planting here and across the site.

New Bridge

We are awaiting installation of the final part of the new bridge across the river Ravensbourne. The bridge is expected to be fully open in November, providing an additional link between the play areas and Old Bromley Road entrances and the rest of the park.

Gardens in Old Bromley Road

More new rain gardens and street gardens along Old Bromley Road and street gardens will soon star to be built and planted, providing further greening to the street and as part of a wider aim to better link the park to surrounding areas outside of the park.