Engaged development of park and visitors' facilities
Jestico + Whiles for Walpole Park
Location: Ealing, London
The restoration of Walpole Park, former grounds of Pitzhanger Manor, was part of the remodelling of the Grade-I listed manor building by Jestico + Whiles. The park was de-municipalised and the original regency landscape recreated by J&L Gibbons, who renovated and revitalised elements to enhance parts of the 18th century landscape. The Rickyard, a new learning centre by Jestico + Whiles, provides space for youth and community groups, schools, families and adults to meet, learn, run activities and host events.
New visitor facilities include a café, public WCs and support facilities for park maintenance staff and volunteers. The redevelopment of the park and The Rickyard building’s site has improved quality and functionality, bringing this neglected part of the park back into full, public use and greatly improving the immediate public realm. The new building and environs support a wider range of volunteering activities and learning opportunities within the community and improve facilities for casual users of the park.
In parallel with the design and research, the project team and Walpole Friends implemented a wider community engagement strategy to provide a forum for the review and discussion of emerging ideas, masterplan proposals and opportunities for involvement in the park’s future, with the users and community. The engagement process focused on participatory activities and events. The Walpole Park Outreach Officer coordinated an engagement and activity plan, which included meeting with groups such as Action Acton charity to develop an introductory tour of Walpole Park, the Kitchen Garden Steering Group who plan the use of the kitchen garden, the Youth Offending Service who train young people in horticulture and Brentwood Football Club Community Sports Trust to encourage female youth offenders on its programme to volunteer during Kitchen Garden sessions. Walpole Park has also been registered as a learning destination for The Children’s University.