Wharfdale Road Rain Garden for Islington

Client

Islington Council

Location

Sectors

Products & Services

Project overview

In partnership with Islington Council, Meristem helped transform this overlooked street corner in King’s Cross as part of the “Islington Greener Together” programme. This programme aims to give locals a say in designing and implementing green spaces in their neighbourhoods.

Goal

This project aimed to enhance greenery in the neighbourhood as part of the council’s programme. By selecting this pavement build-out space, the idea was to add value to this pre-existing infrastructure and transform it into a greener, more welcoming corner of the area. Specifically, the council were interested in supporting and attracting pollinating insects.

Scope

The project consisted of a rain garden measuring 19.5m2 and it was fitted into a pre-existing and unused section of the pavement. Stepping stones were installed along with a wide range of plants.

Solutions

To ensure the needs of the council and residents were met, Meristem used a fast-action plan, completing the planting in one day. Features of the rain garden were implemented to support people, plants and animals.

A wide selection of plants were chosen to enhance biodiversity, including: – Europhobia blue haze– Russian sage– Lavender– Tall verbena– Bergenia– Osmanthus

Pre-established Site Selection

By selecting a pre-existing section of pavement to work on, the project adheres to the "Islington Greener Together" programme by reducing the construction of new infrastructure and enhancing what is already present.

Diverse Plant Range

This plant range aimed to add biodiversity to the street and encourage cleaner air.

Stepping Stones

The stepping stones were designed to allow for maintenance access and to add visual interest to the project.

Adding Mulch

Wood chips and plant-life help slow and absorb rainwater, creating an effective solution to managing rainwater run-off in concrete-heavy areas.

Impact

This small street corner has proven to have a big impact for the residents, council and animal-life in this neighbourhood. The plant-life and stepping stones have massively increased visual interest, brightening up the once-grey paved area and bringing a sense of vibrancy and life to the space. Pollinator-friendly plants have attracted pollinating insects that will help ensure year-round plant-life is sustained. The project is helping build a better, greener Islington by meeting the community’s needs by focusing on the improvement and revegetation of pre-existing paved areas.