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The Royal Parks Design Guide Maintaining the Historic Landscape

Contents | Landscape Design Guide 2009-2010 Introduction Context 3 Acknowledgements 3 Policies and Principles Background 4 Traffic signs and road markings 7 purpose 4 Ground Surfaces 7 Aims 4 Park Furniture 7 Planting Schemes 8 Landscape Design 8 1 2 Review Quality Control 25 Elements of Design Benches 9 3 Bench Palette 9 6 Bins 10,11 Recycling 11 Bollards 12,13 Road and Path Surfaces 14 Best Practice 5 4 Fencing 14 Projects and Management 23 Lighting 15 Partnerships 23 Raised Planters and Containers 16 Stakeholders and Interest Groups 23 Visual Environment Edging Detail 16 Tree Support, Guards and Grilles 17 Landscape Character Areas 21 Water bodies 17 Activities 21 Cycle Parking 18 Elements 21 Signage and Markings 19

the Royal parks design Guide 2010 | 1 2 | the Royal parks design Guide 2010 1

Introduction Context tHE Royal Parks Context Acknowledgements The eight Royal Parks comprise Bushy Nash and . Park, The , Greenwich The quality of the landscape design is Park, Hyde Park, Gardens, not only reflected in the overall layout The Regent’s Park with Primrose and topography but also in the detail Hill, and St James’s and craftmanship employed. This guide Park. The Royal Parks is responsible aims to ensure these quality standards for managing all these spaces and are secured for future generations. conserving them for the future Acknowledgements generations to enjoy. Brompton This summary document has been Cemetery, the gardens of 10, 11 and prepared by Ruth Holmes (Landscape 12 Downing Street, Victoria Tower Development and Design Manager) Gardens and Grosvenor Square Gardens and Emily Alleway (Landscape are also cared for by The Royal Parks. Development Assistant) with the help of the Park Management Teams The Royal Parks are important urban and Park Services Team. greenspaces in for their history, facilities and access to high quality The authors would also like to thank recreational open space. The Parks have the stakeholders – the neighbours and characters that have developed over interest groups – who have informed many years, often with origins as royal and contributed to the development of hunting grounds. All are listed this guide. landscapes on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens (Grade I O’Brien Thomas replica bench, with the exception of The Green Park which is Grade II). Many great designers have had a part moulding the Parks, including André Le Nôtre, John

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Introduction Background Background Purpose Aims: The Royal Parks Landscape Design Guide • Demonstrate and disseminate best practice has been compiled to provide • Align with procurement procedures information in an easily accessible format • Guide policies and procedures for Park Managers and others working in • Provide relevant information with good the Parks when implementing practice examples improvements, refurbishing areas or • Be easy to use and accessible replacing elements. This section of the • Protect the landscape quality and guide looks at the general policies and historical value principles that guide any landscape interventions. The data sheet section contains supplier and specification information that can be extracted and copied as necessary. The aim of the document is to reduce research time and help provide consistency and quality.

The loose leaf data sheet section of the guide is designed to be a living document that will be updated and reviewed regularly. It is not designed to restrict the design process or innovation but to enable Park Management to access information easily. It contains the Elements of Design palette which is a guide to the appropriate quality Heritage of materials and furniture. Gas Lamp, Hyde Park 4 | the Royal parks design Guide 2010 1

Introduction Background

Water Gardens, The guide sets out the policies and It is appreciated that each Park has its principles with which improvements own qualities and unique sense of place. and developments are undertaken in the The sense of place has developed over parks by The Royal Parks and external time due to local demands and physical organisations who are carrying work attributes, such as topography. There out in agreement with The Royal Parks. are, however, many common elements which carry The Royal Parks’ brand and Policies and Principles cover the quality standard. following sections: • Traffic signs and road markings The Elements of Design considered are: • Ground surfaces • Benches • Park furniture • Bins • Planting schemes • Bollards • Landscape design • Road surfaces • Path surfaces • Fencing • Lighting • Raised planters and containers • Edging details • Tree support, guards and grilles • Water bodies • Cycle parking • Signage and markers

the Royal parks design Guide 2010 | 5 6 | the Royal parks design Guide 2010 2 Policies and Principles This section sets out principles of design for groups of design elements. Policies Traffic signs and road markings Ground Surfaces Park Furniture Traffic signs and Eliminate visual clutter and minimise Use appropriate materials for their Use only items that make a positive road markings impact on landscape character and park setting and intensity of use. contribution to the Park. setting. • Invest in quality, both in materials and • Choose park furniture that is well designed and Ground Surfaces • Keep signs and road markings to a minimum workmanship appropriate for the locality Park Furniture and use only when they convey essential • Align and join materials in a harmonious way • Coordinate design and colours and position information • Minimize the number of different materials them thoughtfully • Use the least number of signs/road markings used • Use historically accurate furniture and materials permissible • Maintain and restore historic paving in preference to heritage style • The smallest variant and simplest format of • Specify materials that are robust and restored • Remove or relocate superfluous or each sign/road marking used after construction works redundant items • Locate signs on railings, walls, • Keep Park furniture to a minimum existing posts and lamp columns, rather • Source materials, such as timber elements, from than additional posts sustainable sources with the appropriate chain • Co-ordinate designs and colours of custody • Ensure backs of signs are painted black or invisible green so that they are less intrusive Traditional timber signage, Hyde Park

the Royal parks design Guide 2010 | 7 Planting Schemes Landscape Design Designs are in keeping with their setting Designs are high quality, in keeping Policies and maintained to a high standard. with their setting and functional as well Planting Schemes • Bedding displays are designed to demonstrate as aesthetically pleasing. horticultural excellence, the elimination of peat • Materials are chosen that are appropriate in Landscape Design and reduced use of water and energy their appearance and fit for purpose • Herbaceous planting should be chosen for best • Designs are checked and implemented with effect in a park environment and to demonstrate attention to detail and high-quality finish best practice • Designs have a holistic and • Shrub species and the designs of planting are innovative approach chosen for their aesthetic and ecological value • Total anticipated costs associated with fixed • The position and species of planted trees should assets/park furniture during their estimated be chosen with a purpose useful life, including routine maintenance, normal wear and tear, and replacement of minor or major components costs.

The jungle border, St James’s Park 8 | the Royal parks design Guide 2010 Isabella bench, Richmond Park Solid backless bench, Pembrooke Lodge, Richmond Park Elements of design Design elements have been categorised appreciate views or to allow visitors to Where possible, benches and their to make it easy to find the relevant rest. For this reason, benches are an settings will be upgraded to improve specification in the data sheet section. important feature for making Parks surface quality and drainage and to Examples of elements have been welcoming and accessible. reduce areas of conflict. Where painted 3 collected from research undertaken by benches are being replaced, exposed Land Use Consultants for the Parks and Bench styles fall into two main timber benches should be selected the Artefact Surveys in the early 1980s. categories: timber or cast iron with because they require less maintenance. Elements The elements have also been categorised timber.There are very few benches that Bench Palette Benches based on materials and character cannot be categorised in this way. Most The bench palette has been condensed locations. Ideally, each element existing of the bench styles relate back to to the types below, though in particular within the park should be mapped. historical designs, such as the O’Brien circumstances bespoke benches may be Benches are an important element, Thomas replicas. Many of the designs appropriate to create a sense of place. particularly as many have been can be found in the Artefact Schedules For general use in the Parks the sponsored. The Royal Parks Bench produced by Land Use Consultants in following are recommended: Audit (2006) contains detailed the early 1980s. Some of the styles have • The O’Brien Thomas Replica bench information regarding condition, been phased out and replaced to create location, dedications and style. a standardised approach. • The Hyde Park bench • The Brompton bench Benches The aim is to provide a palette of • The Rustic Slat bench (3, 4 or 5 slats) The styles of benches vary from Park benches that are appropriate for most • The Isabella to Park. Generally styles are grouped park settings. For specific projects, a • The Solid backless bench within distinct areas of each Park departure from this palette using and thus they contribute to the alternative benches would be landscape setting, as well as providing considered if a good reason can be important resting points to enjoy demonstrated. This could be, for the Parks. Benches are often located in example, historical precedence or to popular or congregational areas, to create a specific sense of place.

the Royal parks design Guide 2010 | 9 Cast Aluminium dog bin, Hyde Park Bins Carpenter bins are made by The Royal Litter bins are another important Parks and are usually constructed from element of park furniture due to their locally-sourced sustainable timber in 3 number and concentration in popular Richmond Park or Bushy Park. They are areas. The capacity, location and usually for general litter, though some appearance of bins have an impact on are marked with dog waste signage. Elements the Park setting and have maintenance implications, such as manual handling, Bins for example. There are four categories of bin: • Fixed and permanent litter bins (made of various materials); • Additional temporary wire bins – that are used for events and ceremonies • Dog waste bins • Recycling bins

Dog bins are also used in the Parks. The Royal Parks cast iron dog bin was designed specifically for the Parks and the Parks retain the copyright. Changes in the waste handling regulations have reduced the need for separate bins for dog waste. However, it is considered that the bins are a visual reminder to dog walkers that they need to pick up after their charges. Carpenter dog bin, Richmond Park

10 | the Royal parks design Guide 2010 Recycling bins, Hyde Park

Recycling Litter Bins Recycling is an important The cast iron Victorian-style bin is part of The Royal Parks’ ISO14001 found in most of the Parks. Of these, sustainability accreditation targets. the octagonal and square-closed bins 3 Work has been carried out to deal with are the most popular designs. event, domestic and catering recycling. The Royal Parks wishes to encourage Litter bin designs chosen for their Elements visitors to ‘Recycle on the Go’ (This is a quality of design and durability in the Recycling government initative to encourage Parks are as follows: people to recycle while they are out and • Cast Iron bin Litter Bins about in addition to doorstep recycling). • Contemporary timber or mixed media bins Solid Slatted litter bin, St James’s Park A bespoke bin is being produced for the • Carpenter bin Parks which is designed for flexibility, Royal Parks Square litter bin, Kensington Gardens ease of management/maintenance There are design issues with different and to complement existing park types of bins. For example, open top furniture particularly the timber bins allow the contents to get wet, and steel catering kiosks. making it heavier and more difficult to empty. Bins that narrow towards the The main management issues with bottom, such as Tulip Bins, can be over recycling in the Parks are collecting the filled with bulky items such as pizza different waste streams and minimising cartons thus not using their full capacity. contamination. The bin design takes into Other bins cause a security risk and account collection methods and capacity designs, in some cases, need to be easy because we want to minimise the for the police to inspect, remove or seal. number of vehicle movements and the risks to staff of handling waste.

the Royal parks design Guide 2010 | 11 Commonwealth Memorial bollard, The Green Park

Bollards Some are dedicated bollards with subtle Good quality, well-designed bollards inscriptions. keep visitors safe without reducing their 3 enjoyment of the Parks. Poorly- positioned bollards get in the way of people in wheelchairs or pushing Elements prams. They also create visual clutter and an ‘urbanised’ atmosphere. Bollards Bollards have been installed in The Royal Parks to control traffic, including pedestrians. This is particularly noticeable by the Queen Victoria Memorial and The Mall in St James’s Park. Here, there are bespoke bollards in key locations to help keep visitors safe during busy times, such as Changing of the Guard at . Security bollards are also deployed to prevent access to secure areas, such as Parade.

Many of the bollards in the Parks were designed specifically for their location, particularly the cast iron bollards which Jubilee Gate can be replicated using original moulds bollard, or taking castings from existing pieces. The Regent’s Park Oxford bollard 12 | the Royal parks design Guide 2010 Generally, bollards fall into several categories depending on location and purpose. They are usually Royal Parks’ Invisible Green or black in colour if they 3 are cast iron, painted steel or polyurethane. Timber bollards are untreated or painted Royal Parks Green Elements or White. Illuminated bollards are being Bollards replaced where appropriate with an updated version. Hanchurch bollard, Hyde Park Bollard styles include: • Timber bollards • Cast iron bollards • Steel bollards • Polyurethane bollards • Retractable/removable bollards • Lighting bollards • Temporary bollards • Traffic island bollards

St. James’s Park, The Mall - Cycle route bollard

Retro-reflective flexible bollard the Royal parks design Guide 2010 | 13 The Palace Walk shared use route, Kensington Gardens

Road and Path Surfaces • Resin-bound gravel/aggregate The Parks are treasured for their green • Mortared pebble features appearance. Grassy areas are important Fencing for visitors and, therefore, hard surfaces 3 The main form of boundary treatment are kept to a minimum. However, hard in the Parks is fencing (usually metal or surfaces are recommended for areas that timber). Fencing has several functions, are used intensively, such as paths and Elements including restricting visitors, protecting places where people gather. Road and Path Surfaces planting, managing deer and reducing wear and tear. Metal fencing is usually Fencing These paths and large areas of hard high-specification galvanised steel with surfacing are designed to take account Interlaced a polyester powder coated finish or bow top of use, long-term maintenance, cost and high specification paint (Invisible Green fan detail aesthetics. BS 14 C 40 or Black). A limited palette of surfaces has been Fencing types include: chosen that can work in harmony with one another. • Hoop topped • Interlaced hoop top Surface types include: • Arrow head Deer-proof • Spear head fencing • Tarmac with golden gravel top dressing (tar spray and chip) • Timber • Hot rolled asphalt/tarmac • Post and rail • Coxwell gravel • Bollard and rail • Craig sand for horse-rides • Ornate bespoke • Stone paving • Temporary chestnut pale fencing • Loose gravel or bark chips Chestnut pale • Granite setts/cobbles protection

14 | the Royal parks design Guide 2010 Victorian gas lamp converted to electricity, Hyde Park

Lighting As with bollards and benches, lighting The Royal Parks are some of the few design creates a sense of place and locations in London that are not contributes to the quality of the visitor illuminated at night thus lighting has to experience. Additional lighting is 3 be considered carefully due to the avoided but where it is necessary the impact on wildlife and ecology. Lighting light output is designed to minimise has several purposes and forms whether negative impacts. Affect on behaviour Elements it be for features, security, routes/roads, and perceptions of safety are Lighting facilities or building illuminations; considered. Replacement lighting providing aesthetic and functional roles. columns are often created from original It is essential to enable visitors to moulds or cast from existing columns. navigate safely and use facilities when Heritage style designs are avoided. the Parks are open after dark. Contemporary designs are used where appropriate often in relation to For its historical value it is important to building(s) such as The Regent’s Park retain gas lighting on heritage routes, Hub Sports pavilion. such as Rotten Row and where lighting columns are listed features. When Lighting types include: lighting levels need to be more • Victorian gas lighting columns consistent, reliable and of a particular • Victorian replica gas columns brightness for health and safety reasons, • Victorian replica or refurbished electric lamps are converted to use electricity. lighting columns • Electric lighting columns • Flood lighting • Bollard lighting Flood lit , Kensington Gardens the Royal parks design Guide 2010 | 15 Lead planter, Kensington Gardens

Metal edging, Hyde Park

Granite Sett edging, Richmond Park

Timber edging in picnic area, Richmond Park Raised Planters and Containers Raised Planters and container Edging Detail There is a wealth of varied containers types include: The choice of edge detail makes a and raised planters on offer. They are • Timber considerable difference to the overall 3 opportunities to create eye catching • Concrete finish of paths or surfacing. Edging features and demonstrate horticultural • Cast iron keeps surfacing materials in place, excellence to delight visitors. It is worth • Masonry particularly in heavily used areas, and is Elements considering larger planters because they • Tubs also an aesthetic feature. In some can be constructed from thicker, more locations, edging is raised to retain loose Raised Planters and • Hanging baskets robust materials, reducing the need for material and make maintenance Containers • Ceramic/terracotta maintenance. The greater volume of operations easier. In the formal Avenue Edging Detail growing medium or soil in a larger Gardens in The Regent’s Park, for planter reduces the need for irrigation. example, metal edging retains the grass next to gravel dressed paths to create a Raised beds are particularly good crisp edge. Timber edging is used in a in community garden areas because similar way in other locations. Granite they are more accessible for less able setts are used as edging to mark changes visitors, allowing them to participate in in surfaces, instead of tactile paving, gardening activities. Larger containers such as blister paviours. add height to planting areas and can be used in a very formal way to create Edging types include: symmetry. • Timber • Metal edge Planters and containers can be used to • Granite sett introduce planting where it is not • Kerbs possible to plant directly into the ground. • Plastic Ornamental stone urn, The Regent’s Park

16 | the Royal parks design Guide 2010 Adam’s Pond, Richmond Park The Lake and Blue Bridge, St James’s Park

Tree Support, Guards and grilles Water bodies The Royal Parks uses tree guards and There are several water bodies within grilles only when the need has been the Parks with different characters and determined, so there are very few types nature conservation values. Each of 3 of these elements in the Parks. Guards these has different construction and and grilles are mainly used to protect edge treatment. For example, the lake in trees from damage by deer. However, in St. James’s Park is a shallow concrete Elements recent years young trees have been dish with a central channel, whereas Tree Support, Guards damaged by visitors and a lightweight parts of in Kensington And Grilles tree guard may be necessary. Gardens has a natural base. in Hyde Park is used for Water Bodies Tree supports are used for most newly- leisure activities (swimming and planted trees during the establishment boating) while the water bodies in Bushy Park are used for fishing. Timber tree crates, Richmond Park period. Traditionally, the two-post system was used for root balled trees. On the advice of our Arboriculturist, Water body details include: this has now been replaced by a three- • Edge treatment stake system with rubber ties. A single • Conservation planting stake is used for bare rooted trees. The Royal Parks aims to provide Tree support, guard and grille types the best possible water quality and include: habitat for wildlife in the water bodies. • Timber staked (triple and single) • Metal • Timber crates

Three stake support, Metal tree guard, Richmond Park Kensington Gardens the Royal parks design Guide 2010 | 17 BikeFest scaffolding stand, The Regent’s Park

Sheep fencing cycle stand, Bushy Park

Cycle Parking Richmond Park and Bushy Park have Cycle Parking details include: All the Royal Parks provide cycle the most comprehensive provision • Sheffield stand parking. A feasibility study was carried of cycle parking in the Royal Parks, • Red Route stand with tapping bar 3 out identifying, though observation with Harrogate stands found in all • Harrogate stand and local knowledge, the need for and the car parking areas. Bespoke sheep • Cycle shelter location of cycle parking throughout fencing stands have been produced • Sheep fencing cycle stand Elements the Parks. For the central Parks, the for Bushy Park. • Temporary scaffolding cycle stand Sheffield and Red Route stands are used Cycle Parking to match the design in . The aim is to install additional parking Temporary cycling parking is also The tough coating and understated within the Parks for visitors and staff. used in the Parks for large scale events, appearance fits well with existing Park Existing and suitable examples of cycle such as the Tour de France, Camden furniture. Locations should be chosen parking are shown. Green Fair and the Mayor of London’s carefully. They should fulfil a need for Skyride. There is Transport for London parking and be visible and secure guidance for temporary event cycle without being visually obtrusive. parking, though the scaffolding cycle stand has been successfully used at several events. Harrogate stand, Richmond Park Sheffield and Red Route stands, Kensington Gardens

18 | the Royal parks design Guide 2010 Finger post, Kensington Gardens

Directional signage, Hyde Park Enamel sign, Bushy Park

Signage and Markings iconography are used as they are easily Signage and markings contribute to the recognisable. In many locations, signs overall presentation of the Parks. have been created that suit the message Signage is required for traffic and and sense of place. The Royal Parks 3 pedestrian management and should aims to use traditional materials conform to health and safety wherever possible, such as timber and requirements and, in many cases, enamel. These choices balance Elements highways standards. Signs help to guide maintenance implications, flexibility Signage and Markings visitors through the Parks to places of and visibility. Where possible, interest and to facilities, such as cafes, additional posts for signs are avoided toilets and Park Offices. Map boards and existing structures such as fencing and finger posts are used at key are used. Backs of signs are painted locations to give visitors extra help with black or invisible green to reduce their navigation. Finger post, visual intrusion. White line markings Richmond Park and coloured surfaces are kept to a Other notices, such as warning or minimum where it is safe to do so. advisory signs, are kept to a minimum and made visible while being discreet Park information types include: and in keeping with the Park furniture. • Map boards Some signage departs from standards • Notice boards Directional signage, because of the Park’s heritage or • Interpretation panels Hyde Park aesthetic value. In these cases, a risk • Warning signs assessment is undertaken to ensure the • Advisory signs safety of visitors is also considered. • Finger posts • Directional signage Signs and markings need to be accurate and accessible. Often highway signs and Speed roundels, Richmond Park the Royal parks design Guide 2010 | 19 20 | the Royal parks design Guide 2010 Chestnut Sunday, Bushy Park

Visual Environment Landscape Character Areas Park activities include: Elements Each of the eight Royal Parks has its • Necessary activities (rather than leisure All the elements of design covered in own character and sense of place. Each activities e.g. travelling from a to b) the Landscape Design Guide contribute Park is also sub-divided into character • Passive recreation to the visual appearance of the Parks Visual areas, based on an assessment of the • Resting and the sense of quality. Elements are Environment visual environment. The opportunities • Socializing not considered in isolation but on how and problems related to each area are • Planned activities (picnics, parties etc.) they work and complement one another. explored in more detail in the • Physical activity Any collection of elements will Landscape Management Plans and • Play contribute to the sense of place. The Operations Plans. • Events guide sets out the palette that carries 4 The Royal Parks quality brand with Activities Activities may occupy the same space elements that can be subtly selected to The range of park activities also have an but at different times of the year or day. create a unique or particular setting. impact on the variety of materials or The aim is to provide excellent facilities park furniture used. without creating clutter or spoiling the appearance of the Parks. Landscape Character Areas

Activities

Elements

Interpretation panel on the Mall, St James’s Park

Socialising on a bench, Greenwich Park the Royal parks design Guide 2010 | 21 22 | the Royal parks design Guide 2010 best practice Projects and Management Stakeholders and The Royal Parks continues to make interest groups improvements to and replace elements This design guide also catalogues within the landscape. This design guide some of the elements of historical helps to share best practice within the interest to others, with reference organisation, improve efficiency and back to the Artefact Schedules. ensure best value through procurement. It also demonstrates the approach to features in the landscape as part Partnerships of the management and maintenance The Royal Parks works closely with of the Parks. Other organisations, other organisations on projects and such as English Heritage, Friends management of the Parks and aim Groups and Natural England, can to share best practice where possible. be advised in the restoration of This guide enables The Royal Parks heritage or horticultural features Best Practice to set out the standards and principles based on the principles and policies which can be shared with others, contained in the guide. including local authorities and organisations such as Transport for London, the GLA and international park authorities.The guide sets out 5 the approach and the robust processes that have been adopted for many years and helps ensure the quality Projects and Management standard is maintained for years to come. Partnerships

Stakeholders and Interest Groups

the Royal parks design Guide 2010 | 23 24 | the Royal parks design Guide 2010 Tulip bin, Hyde Park Timber bin,

Timber bin, Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park

Review Stone paving at Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park Quality Control The Royal Parks is keen to ensure that the quality of the materials and park furniture is kept to the high standard expected by visitors and stakeholders. This design guide aims to ensure that there is a process for procurement and that design standards are met. An integral part of this is a review of the guide and processes. Key elements that need to be considered at each review are:

• Procurement guidelines • Sustainability • Environment • Visual impact • Durability • Usability • Maintenance liability • Disability discrimination Review • Other legislation 6 Carpenter-made planter, Quality Control Holly Lodge, Richmond Park the Royal parks design Guide 2010 | 25 Old Police House, Hyde Park, London W2 2UH www.royalparks.org.uk

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