Halliwick Recreation Ground

Client: Barnet Council

Landscape Architect: LUC

Cost: £1.3 million

Duration: 10 months

Completion: July 2024

Location: Muswell Hill


“All the hard work that the team, the consultants, and the contractors put towards this project has definitely paid off. In addition to the flood mitigation benefits we created, seeing the community, families, and children enjoying the area and the new amenities since the park reopened is for me the greatest achievement and makes our job as Council technical officers worthwhile.”
— Daniela Pometti, Head of Highways Asset Management, London Borough of Barnet

The Halliwick Recreation Ground project is the first sustainable urban drainage scheme in the Borough of Barnet, with significant environmental and community benefits. This project addresses the challenges posed by climate change, particularly focusing on flood risk mitigation, biodiversity enhancement, and community engagement 

The Halliwick project is the result of a successful collaboration between Barnet Council, Blakedown Landscapes as principal contractors, LUC who designed the innovative landscape, and Metis Consulting as engineers. At the core of the project is a thoughtfully engineered wetland and detention basin system designed to capture and store surface water runoff from Muswell Hill. This system diverts rainwater away from overburdened sewers and directs it into a newly constructed basin, significantly reducing the risk of downstream flooding.


WORKS

Works included:

  • A new wetland area - positioned 400mm below the overflow height of the basin. In addition to its water management benefits the wetland provides a critical habitat for various species.

  • Construction of a viewing platform, made from composite recycled material, allowing the community to observe and enjoy the wetland.

  • Shallow swales – these linear depressions along pathways capture surface water run-off and channel it into the main detention basin. The swales are strategically placed to ensure efficient collection and conveyance of water.

  • Landforms - excavated materials from the detention basin were used to create landforms within the park. By recalculating and adjusting the sizes of each landform, the project minimised the need for any off-site disposal of soil, aligning with sustainable construction practices

  • Gravel footpaths - these incorporated a Cellweb Retention System. This no-dig construction method minimised soil disruption, preserving existing ecosystems and reducing environmental impact during construction

  • Planting of pre-planted coir palettes of reeds and marginal plants to the wetland area, fostering a semi-permanent wetland environment. To enhance visitor engagement, a viewing area was constructed, allowing the community to observe and enjoy the wetland.

  • Installation of gabion baskets fitted with wooden tops for seating

  • Installation of a bespoke stainless steel slide and steps to one of the landforms to create a play area for children

  • Native and ornamental tree planting and seeding using wildflower meadow turf supporting local wildlife and creating an urban biodiversity hotspot.


FURTHER INFORMATION:

In the face of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, projects like Halliwick are crucial for building resilient communities. The scheme has already proven its effectiveness, successfully managing excess water flows earlier this year during heavy rainfall, and its impact on the local environment and community will only grow with time.