RESTORATION DESIGN FOR PARK

A HERITAGE LOTTERY FUNDED PARKS FOR PEOPLE STAGE 2 PROJECT

3 WATER PLAY AND HUB BUILDING

3A) Showing proposed hub building and enhanced play areas

Rationale: Reinstatement of historic formal carriage drive alignment The main concept is creation of a new hub for the lower part of the park, plus enhancement of existing play provision:

• A new hub building serving the pools, sports facilities and volunteers plus providing an alternative café. The building will Play area retains existing embody green/sustainable architecture techniques and will be equipment in same places; more built into the valley side to integrate with the landscape natural surface colours/planting • An improved setting – restoration of historic parkland elements

• Enhancement of the existing water play and play area to relate to its wider river landscape – a more naturalistic design

• Links to the wider access and circulation routes in the park Jets signify springs/source of valley

Existing Miniature 5000 Railway Low wetland planting to Exhibition

reinforce ‘river’ feature 2300 space 2300

Changing + Service Area Shade canopy

Visualisation of proposed Hub building Section through proposed Hub building looking east

RIVER GADE

Cafe culture and dining Cedar cladding to Hub New contemporary hub building set into valleyside - a light touch in the landscape. Becomes a new focus for historic/’lost’ views

Refurbished water play retains existing structures with new elements to create idea of tributary river of the Gade and respond to its setting

Wet Meadow/reeds

Flint gabion walls Knapped flint finishes Hub sedum green roof Retain valued ‘Metroland’ elements

Chalk stream aquatic forms Chalk landscape Chalk valley landform/ Robust praerie style planting Natural Play/water play Water play Natural Play/water play planting types terracing the lone ‘hidden history’ cedar wetlands wildheart of the park lost house visual formal approach to the focus green ‘of its time’ spaces & places low carbon 21st century legacy play to meet & to be mini railway

The site of the present play area circa. 1890 - open parkland, natural play forms Natural Play/riverine forms Natural Play The lone cedar forms a dramatic, iconic with the now lost forming the background background element to the hub and play area

Historic images of Cassiobury sourced from Museum and Herts HER RESTORATION DESIGN FOR

A HERITAGE LOTTERY FUNDED PARKS FOR PEOPLE STAGE 2 PROJECT

4 VIEWS : LIME AVENUE, MILL AND WESTERN APPROACH

Remnant vista to lost house and watermill at foot of Lime Avenue Sensitive landscape management could be used to interpret the view western summer grand approach historic views sunset give the lime avenue a focus again watermill ruins celebrate & reveal hidden gems unlock spirit of the place and understand its evolution

4A) Showing restoration proposals

GRAND UNION CANAL

Light touch landscape management to open / interpret ‘lost’ view at foot of Lime Avenue Historic view of the Lime Avenue Restore the formal character of the avenue

Potential ‘eyecatcher’ feature to advertise presence of Lime Avenue/ Whippendell Woods from eastern part of park

The former mill in the early 20th century Restoration of open parkland character Open up views to and interpret conserved watermill remains

Iron Bridge Lock

Rustic Bridge Rationale:

This area centres on interpretation and restoration of historic designed views which formed part of the original fabric of the park:

• Restoration and interpretation of the eastward view from the RIVER GADE Lime Avenue Stabilise and restore river • Creation of a new ‘eye catcher’ feature to subtly advertise the bank western half of the park beyond the canal

• Interpreting the ruins of the former watermill, and restoration What remains today at the mill site - one of Cassiobury’s ‘hidden jewels’ - Restored rustic bridge and view to mill ruins of views to the site a focus for interpretation

Historic images of Cassiobury sourced from and Herts HER