This former run down churchyard located adjacent to the south junction at Elephant and Castle was constructed as part of the first phase of the regeneration of this area. The park was designed by landscape architects Martha Schwartz Partners. The edge of the churchyard which faces the Elephant and Castle shopping center has been opened up, allowing easy pedestrian access to this park. Additional penetrations in the boundary wall have been made along Newington Butts elevation and at the north west corner of the park.
St Mary’s Churchyard, Elephant and Castle, London – Frontage to Park with Planters and Lighting
St Mary’s Churchyard, Elephant Castle, London – Frontage to Park with Steps
St Mary’s Churchyard, Elephant and Castle, London – Frontage to Park with Benches
St Mary’s Churchyard, Elephant and Castle, London – Frontage to Park with Planters
Within the former churchyard area the majority of the existing London Plane trees have been retained. To the south east and south west boundaries wide strips of shade tolerant evergreen and herbaceous ground cover planting has been implemented. The center of the park is predominantly grass with mature London Plane trees. At the park’s center a number of grassy mounds have been constructed and concrete spheres have been dotted among them. These perform the function of informal seating.
St Mary’s Churchyard, Elephant and Castle, London – Park Lawn
St Mary’s Churchyard, Elephant and Castle, London – Park Grass Edge Detail With Lighting Strip
St Mary’s Churchyard, Elephant and Castle, London – Park Concrete Balls and Mounds in Grass
Along the north edge of the park a children’s playground is located. This uses brightly coloured rubber impact absorbing surfacing throughout this area. It has been used at the bases of items of play equipment and formed into mounds of varying sizes. Grass is also used as a surfacing within the playground area.
St Mary’s Churchyard, Elephant and Castle, London – Playground Edge
St Mary’s Churchyard, Elephant and Castle, London – Playground Edge
St Mary’s Churchyard, Elephant and Castle, London – Playground with Rubber Mounds
St Mary’s Churchyard, Elephant and Castle, London – Playground with Rubber Mounds and Play Equipment
St Mary’s Churchyard, Elephant and Castle, London – Playground Play Equipment
St Mary’s Churchyard, Elephant and Castle, London – Playground Swings
St Mary’s Churchyard, Elephant and Castle, London – Playground Rubber Mounds in Grass
Additional changes to this park are expected, these will be paid for by the Section 106 agreement for the ‘One the Elephant’ residential development.
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