London,
26
January
2023
|
10:00
Europe/London

Improvements to Clarence Gardens and Munster Square completed

Camden Council has completed improvement works to local green spaces at Clarence Gardens and Munster Square in the Regent’s Park Estate.

The parks are now brighter, more accessible and safer for local communities to enjoy, with new facilities and features.

The transformations are part of Camden’s programme of work to help mitigate the impacts of HS2 in the Euston Area. Improvements are also currently under way at Churchway Estate, Cumberland Market and Ampthill Square Estate. A brand new temporary open space on the former Maria Fidelis School site will also be open in 2023.  

Councillor Adam Harrison, Cabinet member for a Sustainable Camden

“I am delighted that the council’s green spaces teams have now completed the improvements at Clarence Gardens and Munster Square.

“Access to quality open spaces is vital for all our communities, particularly for those living near to the HS2 works.

“These improvements make both sites easier to access and more vibrant, they and include new entrances and paths, with measured routes to encourage healthy activity.

“Issues identified by a council-commissioned accessibility audit showed that the playground in Munster Square previously provided limited physical and sensory activities for children.

“The new play equipment now offers opportunities for more physical activity along with sensory and imaginative play. We have also made the park step-free, which was a previous barrier to users accessing the site in the past.

“Accessibility issues we identified at Clarence Gardens included a lack of seating with arm rests for people with limited mobility, along with an absence of level and firm access paths around the site. We have addressed this by installing new seating and creating a new path network around the park. This will increase access for local residents and users.” 

Councillor Adam Harrison, Cabinet member for a Sustainable Camden

Clarence Gardens benefits from new outdoor chess tables, as well as an upgraded dog exercise area with new agility equipment. Some of the agility equipment which can be found in the dog area includes a crawl-through tunnel, weave-through posts and ‘up and over’ bars.

Munster Square’s improvements include a bright new playground and step-free access into the site, again improving accessibility for all. 

Camden Council teams have replanted the parks with colourful and more diverse species, increasing biodiversity and extending the seasonal interest of the planting. A new native hedge row has been planted around the perimeter of Clarence Gardens along with eight new trees.

Councillor Adam Harrison continued:

"The construction of High Speed Two is going to eventually cause the loss of two hectares of public green space for the Regent’s Park area – the size of three football pitches.

“The council previously secured a number of green space assurances from HS2 to help mitigate this loss of open space and to somewhat alleviate the impact of the construction works. 

“Whilst these don’t make up for the loss of open space in the area because of HS2, it’s important we make the most of the spaces we do have. These projects have helped create a greener and more welcoming space for the community to enjoy for years to come.

“Following the global pandemic, we more than ever recognise the importance of having access to good quality green spaces.

“These are important to local communities because they improve health and wellbeing, the character of an area, as well as creating habitats for wildlife and benefitting the environment.”

These improvements have been funded through assurances Camden secured from HS2, in response to the loss of open space in the Euston area due to construction work.

You can read more information on the improvements to Clarence Gardens on the Commonplace website

You can read more information on the improvements to Munster Square on the Commonplace website.

Additional information for the other sites mentioned can be found on the Euston Engagement Commonplace page.