Comments on Athlone Gardens design proposal
The council is running a public consultation on a redesign of Athlone Gardens, inviting local residents to choose between two layout proposals (or reject both) — effectively asking the community to help shape how the park will look and function going forward. While we've campaigned for a more inclusive co-design process, and were promised this as a result of our last petition, we have created the following summary of the plans on offer.
It’s important to note that the two current presentations are initial thoughts, not finished designs. They are meant to give insight into each design teams thinking and approach.
Overall, proposal A seems more organic, community-focused, and dog-friendly with more trees and greening. Proposal B seems more formal, traditional, and (as Margaret said) “Councill-y”.
Comparison of initial elements proposed by each design team are listed in the table below.
It’s important to note that the two current presentations are initial thoughts, not finished designs. They are meant to give insight into each design teams thinking and approach.
Overall, proposal A seems more organic, community-focused, and dog-friendly with more trees and greening. Proposal B seems more formal, traditional, and (as Margaret said) “Councill-y”.
Comparison of initial elements proposed by each design team are listed in the table below.
| Feature | Option A | Option B |
|---|---|---|
| Community involvement in design | Lays out a 4-step co-design process with workshops and reviews. | Seems minimal. No description of co-design process apart from: “Codesign elements to include bespoke community bench.” |
| Community hub | “Hub (with a cafe, toilets and changing room)” at the heart of the gardens. Building is centrally located with seating, tables, and shelter. | At the side of the park near Portobello / Wheatstone. |
| Trees | “New urban forest” with lots of trees in organic groupings, including large feature trees. | Formal layout around edges of park with new planting of small trees. |
| Greening | “Revitalised lawn and meadow” plus “community growing space”. Lots of informal greening and wild planting. Possibility for growing vegetables and flowers – not clear how that might be managed. | Retain and replant existing planters. Create wild planting around pond at Wornington end. |
| Seating + tables | Seating and tables grouped around trees, central hub, and other spaces. | Formal bench seating arranged singly beside paths. |
| Kids play | Keep where it is with some upgrades. | Keep as is. Additional “toddler play area” at Wornington end. |
| Teen play | “Teen space” with basketball area and table tennis tables. | Large MUGA at Wheatstone edge of park. |
| Adult play | Outdoor gym. | |
| Dog exercise | Relocated to Wornington Rd end, shown with trees and greening. | Stays where it is but enlarged and improved. |
| Dog friendly | No info. | Dogs must be on leads outside dog exercise area. |
| Layout | Informal and organic. | Formal and geometric. |
| Path surfacing | No info given. Illustration suggests block paving. | Bound gravel. |
| Access points | 4 corners plus side gate on Faraday Rd. | 4 corners plus side gates on Faraday Rd and Wheatstone Gdns. |
| Terraforming | Not shown. | Pond and tiered mound at Wornington end. |
