Greenwich Park Revealed

Client: The Royal Parks

Landscape Designer: The Royal Parks

Cost: £1.7 million

Duration: 7 months

Completion: May 2024

Location: London

Blakedown Landscapes was appointed as principal contractor to deliver LWP - Set C of the Greenwich Park Revealed Project.

The client brief is to conserve and restore the 17th century landscape of Greenwich Park - the magnificent tree avenues are failing, the undulating landscape is eroding, and the fabric is under stress from huge visitor numbers.

Background:

Greenwich Park Revealed is a four-year project that will invest £8 million into Greenwich Park, to reveal, restore, protect and share its unique heritage - now, and for future generations. It will restore the 590-year-old park’s historic landscape, provide new visitor facilities, enhance biodiversity, and develop learning, leisure and volunteering opportunities for a growing and diverse local community.

The Royal Parks is dedicated to ensuring that Greenwich Park remains a cherished space for the local community while offering visitors a superb experience showcasing London at its best.

Project Details:

Blakedown collaborated closely with the client and design team to ensure functionality. From tender to construction, we provided expertise and guidance, adapting methodologies and work elements to seamlessly integrate with the existing park landscape and meet the needs of all stakeholders.

Blakedown’s scope of work consists of four Landscape Work Packages within Phase 2 of the Greenwich Park Revealed Project - Parterre Banks and Grand Ascent, General Wolfe Public Realm, Pavilion Café and Blackheath Gate.

Grand Ascent

  • Restoring and re-profiling of the Grand Ascent. The objective was to restore the Grand Ascent to its original 17th century landscape, based on a historical archive drawing. This ambitious project required extensive earthworks and detailed grading.  It also involved stabilising the banks , installing irrigation and grass establishment.

  • Several ‘failing’ trees were removed and a new avenue of trees was planted along the  eastern and western edges of the steps.  Additionally, new hedging was planted to the east side to protect the habitat and prevent further step erosion.

    Parterre Banks

  • The historic Parterre Banks in the Queen’s Field were re-defined and restored.  This extensive task involved a large cut and fill exercise utilising approximately 5,000 cubic metres of earth to address the erosion caused by years of heavy foot traffic.

  • Creating the correct lines and levels was crucial.  Instead of just relying on modern lasers and GPS technology, our skilled operative also used their trained eyes to achieve the natural and historical finish required.

  • Following the redefinition, the banks were re-turfed.

  • The southern diagonal path was removed to streamline the area, and the northern escarpment path was widened to improve accessibility.

  • New trees were planted on the eastern and western banks, replacing those that had been removed.

    Wolfe Statue Public Realm  

  • The transformation and enhancement of the public realm around the Grade II listed statue  created an improved viewing platform.

  • Complex hard landscaping to expand the area in front of the statue, creating a larger and more accessible viewing space.  Approximately  600 square metres of existing York stone was salvaged, cleaned and restored.  In addition, over 600 square metres of new setts and paving were laid to create the new areas of hard landscaping.

  • The steps leading to the viewing platform were carefully refurbished to ensure safe access.

  • Construction of retaining and seating walls – new walls made from Portland Stone and featuring complex Ashlar cladding were installed. 

  • A glass balustrade was added to the edge of the viewing platform.

  • The planting of avenue trees – 12 new lime trees were planted, each with 40 cubic metres of root space.

  • A SuDS drainage system was installed

    Pavilion Café 

  • To enhance the café’s setting and improve the accessibility of views from the café garden to the north, a series of upgrades were implemented. 

  • Creation of new seating areas

  • Resurfacing of pathways

  • Installation of a new timber screen around the café yard

  • Soft landscaping included the planting of shrubs has improved biodiversity to this area

    Blackheath Gate 

  • New avenue tree planting and ornamental planting.

  • Removal of existing hard standing material was carefully carried out by hand excavation to protect the retained trees.

  • Realignment of kerbs to improve the overall landscape.

  • Installation of additional cycle stands to support sustainable transportation.

  • The strategic relocation of parking signage.

Challenges:

Challenges to the project included:

  • Design variations amounted to 68 in total, necessitating comprehensive management and execution. Despite their complexity and scope, these changes were seamlessly incorporated with just a three-week extension to the initial timeline.

    Sympathetic Restoration of a 17th century landscape – to preserve the integrity of the historic 17th-century park landscape, we implemented a series of measures. Existing paths were utilised for access, minimising the impact on the original landscape. Access points were strategically altered to prevent disturbance to the original landscape. Additionally, we adapted our construction methods to further protect the environment.

    Stabilisation of the Grand Ascent embankment - this work was conducted from late December through to early January, coinciding with a period of substantial rainfall. The initial primary slope stabilisation method specified was  hydroseeding however, intense rainfall led to severe soil erosion, rendering the hydroseeding ineffective. Blakedown quickly acted and proposed adapting to turf.  This has been successful and has established well, ensuring  the embankment’s stability and structural integrity. 

  • Topsoil Handling – Parterre Banks – effective topsoil handling and separation were pivotal, and a significant portion of these tasks were completed without the need for external imports. However, for the remaining sections requiring a specific ericaceous soil with a pH range of 4.5-6.2, sourcing proved challenging. While numerous suppliers claimed to provide this mix, few could meet the required specifications. Collaboration with Bury Hill was instrumental in achieving the desired blend, leveraging a unique soil source through a specialised blend developed jointly