'Smelly' corner of south London could be transformed with new public park

"College Green, a long-neglected stretch of land between Croydon College and Fairfield Halls, is the focus of ambitious new plans to turn the area into an accessible urban meadow. The proposals, released last month by Croydon Council, aim to revitalise the site as a vibrant green space for students, residents and visitors alike. Currently, the site is dominated by hard tarmac landscaping and undefined open areas that contribute to its harsh and unwelcoming feel."

"Under the new plans, the concrete podium will be replaced with gardens, walkways, seating areas and space for community activity. At twice the size of Queen's Gardens, College Green Gardens would be the first new public park in central Croydon in years. The green will come all the way up to the Park Lane bus stops, where it is currently windy, noisy and a bit smelly, said Mark Tugman, Project Architect at MICA Architects."

"Mr Tugman, who is leading on the College Green project from the Camden-based practice, said the new space has been designed to provide year-round colour and variety. We have designed the gardens so that different flowers will pop out throughout the year, he told the LDRS. The trees have also been selected so they will blossom across the year. The site is currently in a state of disrepair"

College Green sits between Croydon College and Fairfield Halls and is currently dominated by hard tarmac and undefined open areas that feel harsh and unwelcoming. The design replaces the concrete podium with gardens, walkways, seating, and community activity zones, creating a green space twice the size of Queen's Gardens. The green will extend to the Park Lane bus stops, an area described as windy, noisy and smelly. Proposed features include wildflower planting, an amphitheatre-style seating area, a children's play zone, picnic benches, a Multi-Use Games Area, a dance space, and improved cycle and pedestrian routes. Upgraded lighting and CCTV aim to improve safety, and year-round planting with selected trees will provide seasonal colour and blossom.

Read at www.standard.co.uk