A year on and a Winning Landscape.

For me writing a blog is a new thing.  Why?  I suppose I have had the instinct to write one from reading other good blogs on horticulture and plants.  So thinking, I thought I would write one purely for Parks, Greenspace and Landscape Management, wholly with a view to look at trends and appreciate what efforts go into making quality landscapes for all to enjoy.  So my first take is the look at the Olympic Park.

I was reading the headline for the Horticulture Week Magazine on Friday 21 June 2013 and the headline being "Queen Elizabeth Park Olympic Park Park Contract will redefine Parks Work say Landscape Group".  This then had me thinking again how considerable thought has gone into designing the Olympic Park Landscapes.  Having had the opportunity a year ago to visit with some colleagues and see the results of this landscape one can see that there has been thought  into balancing the needs of horticulture, ecology and geology as well as the age old problem, access.  The Olympic delivery authority from the start utilized the expertise and judgement of a variety of professionals especially that of Nigel Dunnett and James Hitchmough, both Professors in Horticultural Ecology and Planting Design at the School of Landscape, Shefeild University.  

A key area that benefits both ecology, horticulture and soil groundwater management has been through the use of swales.  These commonly seen in the USA and their use is to capture and filter water across varying land terrain whilst at the same time conserving water in the water table and preventing flash flooding.  Swales are common across the Olympic Park.

One of the Many Bio Swales at the Olympic Park.

The swales not only manage water but also provide additional area for planting.  A good link to see the work and design of these bio swales at the Olympic Park can be seen on the link of Professor Nigel Dunnett from the Department of Landscape at Sheffield University.

Another important and fine aspect of the Olympic Park is the variety of space.  Whilst ecology and horticulture are balanced so is the need for quality turf management with the provision of lawns.  These not only complement the variety of landscapes but will provide and important function for people to relax on whilst visiting the Park.  As was seen in the Olympics and Para Olympics people just enjoyed relaxing on the grass and a well managed regime is makes these lawns highly effective. 

Well managed turf complements the landscape and provides areas for relaxing.  

The ornamental lawns are boxed mowed and for establishment rubber crumb has been incorporated to prevent wear prior to the Olympic foot traffic, below.

Park Manager and Landscape Group General Manager Alister Bayford said: "Its a real opportunity to redefine what park management is about because we haven't got any historical working practices". Over the coming months I hope to highlight some of the new working practices that can benefit parks and the there future management.

Here both a bio swale, ecological grass area with an ornamental Geranium that provides impact on the bank

What I found interesting is the small compartments of ecology, ornamental plants and fine turf management.  Note how the land has been designed to manage and conserve water, which is a precious resource in the landscape. 

Until Next Time.