George’s Park: A Green Oasis To Improve Air Quality
The Baker Street Quarter Partnership values biodiversity as a core sustainability principle, supporting our commitments to improve air quality and contribute to a safe and sustainable street environment. Our business’ focus is on enhancing the quality of life for those living in, working in, and visiting the Quarter: central to that is sustainability and improved biodiversity.
It’s often true that good things really do come in small packages… and, George’s Park, the pocket park in the Baker Street Quarter is no exception. Working with Derwent London and The Portman Estate, an unused, unloved space off George Street (near the junction with Baker Street) was transformed into a veritable oasis.
George’s Park (Pocket Park)
Launched in July 2018, the design and planting of this green pocket park sought to protect and enhance air quality and biodiversity and create a beautiful and people-friendly space Silver birch sit alongside pollen rich hardy perennials to create a low-maintenance, drought tolerant space that also benefits wildlife.
With space at a premium, design was everything. Our WWE Partner Handbook informed decisions, and with collaboration between partners on this project, the Baker Street Quarter Project, Derwent London and The Portman Estate, the opportunity to create space for people to sit and enjoy, promoting social engagement. The decking space (created from reclaimed scaffolding boards) for instance, has seating built in, there are also regular pop up stalls and temporary seating (stored nearby) to encourage dwell time for temporary events.
George’s Park (Pocket Park)
Beyond aesthetic design, the garden realises tangible environmental benefits through the additional of planters for pollinators, trees, and carefully considered urban greening.
This project highlights the very real benefits of urban greening and small-scale interventions to support communities and the environment. Two years since its initial inception, the seating and planters has taken on a new life as a ‘outdoor space’ for local residents, employees and visitors to enjoy.
BID:
The Baker Street Quarter Partnership
Collaborators:
The Portman Estate, Derwent London
Area:
Approx 46m2
Location:
George Street, Marylebone, London, W1U
Features:
Parklet
Planters
Pollen-rich perennials
Seating for residents
.