A New River Park

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Permalink Reply by Martin (Woodside) on April 23, 2015 at 6:59

On the same theme Hugh, any idea what's happened to the Haringey Heartlands project?. I went to see the showroom and model in Wood Green library years ago but I have yet to see any work in progress at the site.

I can't find much info on the web, with the housing shortage you'd think they'd be pressing ahead. 

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Permalink Reply by Protheroe O'Shea on April 23, 2015 at 16:53

In all honesty living on Lothair Rd South I'd hate this to happen.

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Permalink Reply by Protheroe O'Shea on April 23, 2015 at 19:07

Except a park on about 50 square yards of riverbank is not building up.

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Permalink Reply by Hugh on April 24, 2015 at 0:03

You're talking about that. Ben and I were talking about http://www.newlondonlandscape.org/project/196/the-new-river-park. They're two totally different things.

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Permalink Reply by Martin (Woodside) on April 24, 2015 at 7:10

Thanks for this.

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Permalink Reply by Protheroe O'Shea on April 24, 2015 at 16:57

The main reason I have with this is it will no doubt end looking as messy as Finsbury Park after a hot weekend. Also parking and noise will ruin the street. And finally it only appears to be inhabited by white people. (I'm going by the Lothair Rd South image) a UKIPtopian dream of the New River perhaps

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Permalink Reply by Robert Pike on April 25, 2015 at 12:06

Do UKIP supporters enjoy picnics? Far too progressive for them surely?

Anyway understand your point that visceral visualisation breeds fear in some people's minds. I too live next to a park and indeed the sun brings out the people and the people bring out the rubbish! In my ideal world it would be picked up but alas no! However this doesn't mean you close the park because of the few. The New River is messy and unloved in parts right now but if it was used better as the website explains then why, other than your concerns for Lothair Rd, would you not do this? 

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Permalink Reply by James Ingram on April 24, 2015 at 9:48

Mile End's got its green bridge.

Peckham might get a highline (http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/disused-peckham-rail-track-co...).

And we've got the Parkland Walk...but this looks fantastic. Certainly no one would put up the cash for it though?

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Permalink Reply by Robert Pike on April 25, 2015 at 12:12

Interesting point you make about cash because you can see this in terms of different pots to pick from. If this is just purely public realm then there won't be much! However the concept ties this to an infrastructure project for improving water supply, flood management, control of run-off. In that sense there are 2 pots of cash - if not more - to choose from. 

I am personally into Cradle to Cradle ideas and applying this to landscape, especially city landscapes that could produce unforeseen circumstances. Yes idealistic and optimistic but who could have forseen the tourist potential of the NY High Line. How do you quantify what value that brings to NYC? 

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Permalink Reply by Robert Pike on April 25, 2015 at 11:57

I had forgotten about these ideas when Alan raised ideas for walking the other day. Thanks for the nudge Hugh!

The architects own website depicts a very useful infographic diagram that explains the concept.

" Thames Water estimate that within 25 years London’s demand for fresh water will exceed the supply. Our proposals therefore address key issues set out in the Thames Water 25 year plan:

1. Supply new fresh water by capturing urban run-off and cleaning through phyto-remediation ponds .
2. Mitigate stormwater through newly created bio-retention ponds along Petherton Road and the New River Walk.
3. Floating reed booms and emergent islands of native riparian vegetation absorb nitrates, out-compete invasive species, and reduce algal blooms.

It highlights that chunks of urban infrastructure that pass through our area don't have to be contained behind high fencing or left to become derelict. At the very least the section of New River from Finsbury Park through to the Reservoirs could become this.  

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