Connect West Hampstead and bring life and colour to the streets with a

flower pit walk

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Why
a flower pit walk around West Hampstead?
because we can
Fordwych Road, Maygrove Road and Aldred Road already have tree pits and green areas. Where there are no tree pits, there are surprising alternatives see page 5.

for health
a circuit around West Hampstead is excercise and also reminds residents about the amenities that lie outside their immediate area

to combat isolation
A walk is an opportunity for meeting. A flower pit is an excuse for talking. For down-sizers, a tree pit could become a substitute mini-garden and provide a reason to go outdoors.

for retailers
in many high streets retailers are using planting to attract customers. In our area some do already such as Davids Deli and Achillea Flowers.
www.achilleaflowers.com/gallery.html

to signpost and promote Camdens amenities

use flower pits to draw more residents to the parks, playgrounds and green spaces that encircle West Hampstead. Also a walk needs a map. A map is an opportunity to inform and publicise locally and on the web.

to bring life to the streets

Empty streets can encourage and enable criminality.

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A path that crosses a

connecting 1 Fortune Green and

2 the Library and 3 the Farmers Market and 4 the Playground and 5 West End Green and Mill Lane and 6 Maygrove Peace Park and West End Lane and can create new places of interest too. 7 Mill Lane railway bridge childrens murals 8 the tree boulevard on Fordwych Road

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How is it done?
A grassroot project started by a Fordwych Road resident.

Residents manage and do the work meet neighbors and ideas blossom. Four flower pits, then more, then herb corner which grew beans and finally floral shoes.

* The shoes remain a mystery

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Ideas and enthusiam into reality year after year?

Practicalities?
adopt a tree pit format divided into local hubs web-based eco planting advice link with Friends groups We realise that we wont have 100% take up but including local children and established Friends groups, there is a fair chance that this could grow over time. Local Primary and Nursery Schools to plant

No tree pits? ground level / planters?

several Mill Lane shops use planters for colour Planter bike stands

Criminal damage and safety? bus stops?

edible
www.theediblebusstop.org/

Our problems. Many pubs and restaurants have planters with greenery. If we had Camdens approval, we could discuss this issue with Camden and traders to find a small range of proven, approved solutions.

or above / window boxes?

north side Mill Lane, there are residents window boxes above the shops

living green roof

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An example of the problem

KILBURN TUBE

Fordwych Road is a handsome avenue of Plane trees. It has survived two wars and has a blue plaque. Domestic architectural styles range from the 1870s to the 1920s. Some houses seem lifted out of a childrens story book. Fifty years ago famillies would know each other. The street would be have filled with children. These days its a route to somewhere else. Maybe due to the quietness and some neglected properties, there is now crime, bulglary, fly-tipping and last year a sexual assault, an attack on a young girl which no one heard nor saw. But this summer it felt like something changed.

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An example of the problem

Small things
that can change a street
An individual. N. who greets everyone, spends long days tending his buildings garden and walks a neighbours two dogs three times a day. The Kids Company House. What they do and how they do it radiates. In summer 2012, the first appearance of flowers in the tree pits. Hellos and flowers have made all the difference to me at any rate. I walk around more and feel safer. Im now a tree pit gardener. Through tree pit chat, I have met neighbours. For me the street is now a dynamic space. More front gardens are being tended. Like a comic book plot ending, the dark elements are shrinking away and flowers are taking their place. What if 21st century attitudes to what a street is and can become, change? Perhaps our streets can contribute to our lives and wellbeing. Supposition, I know but what if informal flower pits planted by residents can make even a tiny difference? Isnt it worth a try?

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How Camden Council could help with the path a reciprocal relationship
Mill Lane railway bridge For 2000 local children painted trees on the panels of the bridge but now taggers are taking this over. A council contact and official support for this proposal. We could then approach the local traders association to discuss practical proposals for West End Lane and Mill Lane. From speaking to a few on West End Lane there would be interest. Allow flower planting in tree pits on the route. We could publicise. Appreciating spending cuts provide garden compost or whatever is feasible We could organise delivery and distribution point. Two projects: New tree pit murals With the local Primary schools, repaint the existing childrens paintings and develop a theme of trees in flower pits. We could offer voluntary support. Toddlers train watch-spot On the pavement, set well back from the road, local toddlers stop to watch trains go by through the fence. Perhaps mark a simple, safe viewing spot. Perhaps a small, low, raised platform. We could provide child-friendly information about trains on a child-height notice board. Camden Town Shed could design and make.

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Similar projects in London

Link Link Link Link

The Blackstock Triangle

http://outofmyshed.co.uk/tag/ blackstock-triangle-gardeners/

Islington Council / Tree pits

https://www.islington.gov.uk/services/ parks-environment/parks/getting_involved/ Pages/treepits.aspx

Ryland Road, NW5

http://www.pimpyourpavement.com/blindpimping/

Blenheim Gardens
http://www.mapra.org.uk/Blenheim.htm

council: Islington

council: Islington

council: Camden

council: Brent