Bartlett Park Landscape Masterplan Contents Page 1. Introduction 1 1.2 Site Location and Context 2 2. Site Assessment 3 - 4 2.1 Summary of Key Opportunities 5 - 6 2.2 Summary of Key Constraints 7 - 8 3. Design Principles for the Masterplan 9 4. Masterplan 10 5. Summary of the Design Proposals 11 - 12 6. Sketch Visualisations 13 - 24 7. Inspirational Schemes 25 - 26 1 Introduction The London Borough of Tower Hamlets has commissioned Ringway Jacobs to produce a masterplan for the improvement of Bartlett Park. The early stages of this commission have identified numerous opportunities and the initial ideas have culminated in the development of an outline plan. The aim is to use this plan to gather feedback and comments from the community so that the proposals can be further developed into a resolved masterplan which can be adopted for a phased programme of redevelopment. 1 1.2 Site Location and Context The site is located approximately one mile north of the London docklands in the heart of Poplar. It sits between Upper North Street, Stainby Road and Lindfield Street. The Limehouse Cut canal runs along its northern boundary. It is a large area of flat open space, with features limited to scattered mature trees and overgrown shrubbery. Historically nineteenth century terraced housing filled the area. This was lost as a result of war damage but some evidence of former street layout can be found within the fabric of the park. Late twentieth century residential development and a large Victorian church are located within a central position and are surrounded by a high boundary wall. Key Park boundary It is recognised that the site has huge potential for a much improved Pedestrian access amenity value. At present the site offers few recreational opportunities routes into park and these tend to be limited to weekend football, dog walking and informal family play. The nearest play area is isolated from the park, located within an area of hard standing, adjacent to the south eastern boundary. The site is surrounded on all sides by newly built, high density residential development. The increasing population and improved quality of the surrounding built form, add to the need for a high quality open space that can offer more opportunities for improved recreation. The removal of a large residential block that was formerly located on Cottall Street between the park and the canal now offers the opportunity to reunite these two areas of open space, to create a dynamic waterfront with a special quality. The unique location offers dramatic views of the docklands skyline and provides the site with a strong sense of place. This along with the rejuvenation of the surrounding architecture emphasises the need for a strong design with a contemporary character. © Crown Copyright and database rights 2012 Ordnance Survey, London Borough of Tower Hamlets 100019288 2 Cotall Street Park boundary Arcadia Street Bartlett Close Stainsby Road Northumbria Street Augusta Street Upper North Street Lindfield Street 3 2.0 Site Assessment Restricted access at some pedestrian gates A careful analysis of the site has been carried out, including the physical, social and historic context. The purpose of this analysis was to develop an understanding of the existing site conditions and respond to these to create a sustainable and innovative design solution which will address the needs of the whole community. This is an important park, located in an area with high population density. It is well situated for access by local residents and by those living beyond the immediate vicinity, as there are excellent links to Boundary fence public transport, both via bus, with stops immediately adjacent to the restricts access at the park, local DLR stations and safe cycling routes. In addition there are south east corner good links into the park for pedestrians from adjacent areas of green space. It is recognised that the improvement of this park is essential to local residents with limited access to outdoor space. As a result of the initial site assessment certain key constraints and opportunities have been identified. Unrestricted access points 4 Cotall Street Park boundary Arcadia Street Northumbria Street Upper North Street Stainsby Road Augusta Street Lindfield Street 5 2.1 Summary Of Key Opportunities Harness views of the Docklands development • Scale This is a large area of open space which offers huge opportunity for use by the large and diverse community which it serves. The design proposals should be of a strong character and suitable scale. • Good Access Access to the site from areas outside the immidiate vacininity is extremely good. Langdon Park DLR station is approximately five minutes walk to the east of the site. Upper North Street has bus Improve the connection stops adjacent to the park. The canal tow path forms an increasingly between Limehouse Cut important pedestrian and cycle route. New Barclays cycle hire stands and Bartlett Park have recently been installed along Lindfield Street. • Unique Views Unique views of Canary Wharf provide the site with a strong sense of place. • Waterfront The demolition of the Cotall Street housing block has opened the park to the canal. Whilst the proposed new development will partially close off this link, there is sufficient space to maintain a strong physical connection, to create an open and inviting space with access limited to pedestrians and cyclists. • History The site has a rich history. The location of Bartlett Close and Arcadia Street reflect the location of two of the former pre war terraced streets which stood here. Evidence of this former street layout can also be seen elsewhere on site. Limehouse Cut provides another strong link with the past. • Modern Architecture Dominant peripheral building styles are very contemporary with crisp Modern architecture clean lines. This presents the opportunity to adopt an equally modern provides opportunities for approach to the landscape scheme. contemporary landscape 6 Cotall Street (Indicative site boundary) Arcadia Street Bartlett Close Stainsby Road Northumbria Street Augusta Street Upper North Street Lindfield Street 7 2.2 Summary Of Key Constraints Isolated playground located between Augusta Street and Upper North Street • Upper North Street presently isolates the play area from the park. The play area is housed within a locked area which is surrounded on all sides by busy roads. This facility has limited access periods. • Poor circulation between the park and areas of adjacent open space. • Inappropriate locations of poor quality, illegible entrances, with restricted access for disabled users. • Poorly maintained visually intrusive boundary fence. Unrestricted Poor quality changing facilities access to vehicles by open double gate along southern boundary. • Inappropriate location of existing footpaths which bear no relation to natural desire lines. • The park is generally under utilised due to lack of facilities. • Aging prefabricated changing facilities and poor quality football pitches. • Established uses of football and dog exercising can conflict with other users groups such as families and children. • Monotonous, flat, windswept topography with limited existing Restricted pedestrian access degraded shrub planting and isolated groups of damaged mature trees. between Bartlett Close and former public house • There is currently no connection with the adjacent canal. • Open space is interrupted by the central residential buildings with high brick boundary walls which present a strong visual barrier. • Poorly defined hidden space between the end of Bartlett Close and the former public house encourages anti-social behaviour at night. 8 3. Design Principles For The Masterplan The outline masterplan proposals have been designed around the following principles: 1. To create a modern park with a distinct character and scale suitable to an open space in this location. 2. To improve security by creating greater visibility and encouraging increased visitor numbers. 3. Improvement of existing features and creation of new, inovative facilities which can be enjoyed by the whole community. 4. Improve connectivity between Limehouse Cut and Bartlett Park. 5. Develop a sustainable approach to development and improve ecological diversification. 6. Enhance the connection to existing green framework adjacent to the site. 9 N 1 Area to be included and integrated within the wider park. Masterplan design principles extended over road and into this space to remove division Key currently created by Upper North Street. Contemporary lighting columns, improved surface treatment and modern approach to planting will enhance Modern Vertical Fencing driver awareness, heighten park user experience and create a gateway into the park along Upper North Street. Low Concrete Wall 8 2 Large sculpture and seating at entrance. Large Earth Mounds 3 Low wall with bunding as alternative boundary edge. Large swathes of Meadow colourful planting throughout park provides visual interest and biodiversity. 4 Outdoor Gym Equipment Northumbria Street realigned to improve north south pedestrian circulation. Parking to be included within the realignment proposals. Entrance Feature 9 5 Locally distinctive entrance features and alternative surface treatment used Bus Stop to emphasise the change in driver/pedestrian hierarchy within the park. 11 6 10 Picture Frames Several large picture frames will be placed around the park as sculptural features. These will capture views and emphasise the special character of this Masterplan Boundary space. Upper North Street 7 Traffic calming for improved pedestrian access from adjacent green spaces. 8 Primary access point from north. Bridge improvements include creating a modern terraced seating area to make use of the views along Limehouse Cut 12 and reconnect the surrounding landscape and community with the canal. Cotall Street 9 Improved access and surfacing to connect the canal and park. Steps and ramps to allow access by all. Open space to allow waterside activities to take DEVELOPMENT 7 place. 19-A 10 Proposed performance space and meeting area overlooking canal and park. 11 Gardens, picnic and additional bike racks.