Perth Road Nature Garden

Meristem Design, in collaboration with what if: projects, and Waltham Forest Council, have completed Perth Road Nature Garden – a vibrant new green space that has transformed the patch of land into a flourishing natural environment. Located opposite Sybourn Early Years Excellence Centre, this project has created an enriching educational space and nature garden for both pupils and the community to enjoy. This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

To provide more accessible green spaces for the local community that supports biodiversity while serving as an educational and recreational resource. 

Covering over 115m2, the new space includes several new trees and over 550 plants, as well as several key features designed to enhance the area and provide multiple benefits to the community and environment.

Creating a garden that addresses the diverse needs of the local community, while also supporting ecological sustainability and resilience required thoughtful design and environmental consideration. We had to ensure the planting scheme was low-maintenance and suited to the urban environment, where factors such as air pollution and space could affect plant health. 

The design needed to cater to children, providing playful and educational opportunities, while also being respectful of the surrounding community and residents. It was also important to balance ecological goals—such as promoting biodiversity and attracting wildlife—with the practical needs of maintaining an accessible and safe public space.

Natural Design, Habitat and Planting: A variety of plants and flowers, including native species, create a rich habitat for local wildlife, including birds, bees, and butterflies. Bird feeders and perches have been installed to attract and support avian species.

Flowering species such as bistort and verbena have been chosen, as well as low maintenance, drought tolerant shrubs and grasses. Trees such as birch and weeping cherry have also been chosen, creating both shade for the visitors, and further habitats for the visiting wildlife. Inside the area created for the school, fruit-bearing plants like raspberry and black currant bushes were also added.

We’ve planted herbs such as rosemary and sage to create a sensory experience and provide educational opportunities. Designed with accessibility and engagement in mind, the space features plants selected for their appealing scents, textures, and colours to provide a stimulating experience for all visitors.

The garden also features a 1,000-litre water tank for watering, bespoke treated timber walkways, wildlife habitat structures, gabion perches and an edible fruit garden.

Natural Play Areas: Incorporating natural elements like timber and boulders encourages imaginative play and physical activity. The design of the garden also includes raised areas and pathways, added timber structures and screening elements, all of which can be used as informal play features for children.

Eco-Friendly Accessibility: Eco-friendly materials and practices were used throughout the project. This includes recycled materials for pathways and seating. For example, an eco-grid pathway made from recycled plastic ensures wheelchair accessibility, making the garden inclusive for all visitors. The old iron gate was also refurbished and re-installed, along with many bricks that were pulled from the excavation, now finding a new home in the gabions.

The garden also provides an open space that helps with school pick-ups, offering a safe and engaging area for children and parents to gather. Elements such as the non-slip coating on the raised walkways helps to prevent accidents, ensuring a safe environment for children to play and enjoy.

This new local asset is a transformative project. Designed to support the local environment and ecosystem, assist with school activities, and foster community involvement, this garden is a valuable addition to the Waltham Forest community.

Enhancing Local Biodiversity: By creating the bespoke garden, we are boosting biodiversity through habitat creation, and increasing plant species in the area. 

Promote Wellbeing: Improving access for people to connect with nature, we are providing a serene and natural environment which could contribute to the physical and mental wellbeing of the community.

Foster Community Engagement: The garden serves as a communal space where residents, parents, children and other community members can gather, relax, and participate in gardening activities.

Support Education: The garden serves as an outdoor classroom, offering students hands-on learning opportunities about nature, sustainability, and our environment.

Connecting with nature can bring people together, creating bonds and reinforcing the importance of shared spaces. Nature gardens such as Perth Road are essential for the wellbeing of local people, helping to provide them a mini haven for relaxation, exploration, and pride in their area. 

Schools

The development of this project included what if: projects engaging with local school children by holding multiple workshops to help design the Nature Garden. An extra area of the garden will be cared for and maintained by local pupils, ensuring positive interaction with the space and helping to keep young people connected with nature.

For children, these spaces are particularly crucial, as they offer opportunities for outdoor play, physical activity, and hands-on learning about the environment. Engaging with nature from a young age fosters a sense of curiosity and respect for the natural world, encouraging lifelong habits of environmental stewardship.

Community involvement

Local community members are encouraged to sign up to help maintain and look after the new nature garden. Incorporating a collaborative effort will ensure the garden remains a valuable community asset for years to come. Improving the area into a climate-resilient space creates the perfect spot for local interaction and activity.