Creating Green Community Spaces: Pocket Park for Kenley
Client
Croydon Council
Location
Sectors
Products & Services
Project overview
Part of the Connecting Kenley initiative, a collaboration between Meristem Design, Croydon Council and partners aimed to revitalise the area in front of the Old Lodge Lane shops into a multifunctional pocket park. This transformation addressed issues of neglect and fly-tipping, replacing them with play features, exercise equipment, and green infrastructure. The project supports safer, healthier, and more vibrant community spaces by improving pedestrian road safety, promoting active travel, and enhancing biodiversity. The transformation was guided by the priorities of the Kenley Community Plan and funded by Croydon Council and the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund.
Goal
The goal of this project was to create a vibrant, community-focused pocket park that promotes active travel, improves pedestrian safety, and supports local biodiversity. This initiative aligns with Connecting Kenley’s broader mission to create safer, greener, and more connected neighbourhoods.
Scope
The project transformed Old Lodge Lane by incorporating street furniture, play spaces, and green infrastructure. Elements included informal play features, stepping logs, exercise bars, bug hotels, bird boxes and planting. Wayfinding signage and breadcrumb posts were also installed to improve navigation throughout Kenley.
Solutions
To revitalise Old Lodge Lane, the project involved implementing community-focused green infrastructure and playful features for young people, residents and visitors. The installations improve the overall look and feel of the area, support wildlife and provide spaces for people to sit and relax.
Play and Exercise Features
Installed informal play elements like stepping logs, alongside dip bars and pull-up bars, encouraging active lifestyles for children and adults.
Biodiversity Boost
Integrated bug hotels, bird boxes, and drought-tolerant planting to support local wildlife and create a sustainable green space.
Community-Inspired Design
Engaged local school children and residents to ensure the design meets community needs for safety, play, and relaxation.
Improved Wayfinding
Added signage and breadcrumb posts to improve pedestrian connectivity, making it easier to navigate Kenley’s paths and woodland areas.
Impact
The pocket park has transformed Old Lodge Lane into a safe, welcoming space for children and residents.
- Play and exercise features promote active lifestyles, while bug hotels and bird boxes support biodiversity.
- The new greenery improves air quality and discourages fly-tipping, fostering community pride and ownership.
- Enhanced wayfinding supports safer, healthier travel throughout Kenley, aligning with the broader Connecting Kenley goals.
- This revitalised space now stands as a testament to how thoughtful design can reclaim urban areas for community benefit.
Before
After
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Maintenance
We offer a full range of maintenance services to keep your green space looking healthy and vibrant. Tailored to the unique needs of your project, our horticultural team will provide specialised plant care and maintenance from a one-off basis to a customised schedule.
Design
We specialise in designing beautiful, sustainable urban greening solutions and products that bring nature into public, commercial and residential spaces. From concept to final design, we work closely with clients to ensure that every element is crafted to meet their unique needs, aesthetic preferences, and sustainability goals.
Fabrication
We provide high-quality, in-house fabrication services tailored to the needs of urban greening projects. Composed of skilled welders and carpenters, our fabrication team brings each project from concept to completion using precision and exceptional craftsmanship.
Get in touch
If you like what you've seen in our case study and want to learn more about how this could work in your setting, please get in touch.
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