Soaking up the pressure

An inventive new park is helping to reduce the impacts of climate change, create nature and beauty and connect a Manchester community.

by Jenny Ferguson

Manchester has a reputation for being one of the wettest cities in the UK. Climate change is exacerbating this by increasing the frequency of heavy rainfall events. Could a new park which uses a series of swales, rain gardens and bio-attenuation features to direct rainwater away from homes and prevent flooding be the answer?

West Gorton Community Park is the final element in a £100m regeneration scheme of 500 new homes, community facilities and school improvements (the lovingly nicknamed ‘Sponge Park’ opened in summer 2020). It is the first UK demonstrator project for the “GrowGreen” initiative, funded by the European Union’s 2020 Horizon programme. The project was a result of close collaboration with Manchester City Council, the housing and care provider Guinness Partnership Ltd and the University of Manchester, with the primary objective being to assess how nature-based solutions (NBS) could help combat the effects of climate change. The University of Manchester will monitor the design interventions over the next five years to ascertain how effectively the park can reduce flooding, improve health and wellbeing, and increase biodiversity. The data gathered will help inform the design of other green spaces, regeneration schemes and flood prone areas across the EU.

To reduce the capacity and flow rate of storm water from entering the active drainage system, BDP Landscape, together with Arup Civil Engineers, proposed to block up existing road gullies and divert the rainwater from surrounding road networks into the park, through a series of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) including bioswales, rain gardens, permeable paving, grass basins and pebble channels. A primary aspiration was to dovetail NBS and SuDS features into the overall park design, to add character and richness to the landscape, and to encourage engagement with the natural environment.

Bioswale timber stop dam to control flow of water

© BDP

Community engagement carried out jointly with Groundwork Greater Manchester identified the neighbourhood’s aspirations for the park, including areas for families to come together, to play, exercise, grow food, and to host community events. Hands-on workshops and games helped raise awareness and educate people about the impact of climate change and how this would shape and influence the developing landscape designs, to create a future-proofed, climate adaptive and resilient park.

Pedestrian and cycle access was improved by linking each of the three park areas together, by redirecting traffic and through the incorporation of raised table crossings. Widened paths, improved sightlines and new solarpowered lighting increases safety at night, while seating added along routes provide areas for people to rest and enjoy the spaces. The park is split into three different character areas:

Woodland Play Space: Naturally tactile elements such as timber and rock are used in the playground, with objects placed to encourage physical movement and free play. A pebble rill captures water run-off and acts as a play feature for children to follow. Planting along this rocky creek captures and attenuates the water on its journey down to the ammonite shell, where you can listen to the sound of rainwater trickling into the chamber below. To the south, a sunny glade has been created by removing a dense cluster of existing trees, allowing light to penetrate down to the timber seating and ‘wild boar’ play features below.

The Meadow: In parallel with the primary pedestrian path, a sinuous trail with steppingstone logs and beams offers an alternative route and fitness trail for exploration. It meanders through the meadow and orchard picnic areas, with seating niches nestled into wildflower mounds using low timber sleeper retaining walls, and has steppingstones through the rain garden which lead to a storytelling space and living willow arch. Timber check dams across the swale slow the flow of rainwater and encourages greater infiltration. Any remaining water reaches the raingarden and pontoon deck, where it is absorbed by moisture loving species including a feature multi-stemmed alder (Alnus) tree.

Raised vegetable planters for use by community

© BDP

Timber play structures and wildflower planting

© BDP

Play area with cobbled drainage feature

© BDP

Community Garden: Open lawns, community growing areas and a south-facing Piazza enjoy full community use for events, sports and pop-up markets. Permeable paving filters rainwater through a series of formal channels which irrigates the new trees and plants and provides a rich, sensory environment for the community to enjoy. Long benches designed using stone filled gabion baskets provide habitat space for beneficial insects. Communal raised beds help create a sense of community spirit for residents who wish to grow their own food and provide easier access for disabled users and visitors. A timber pergola structure with an acrylic roof harvests rainwater into butts beneath, reducing the need for potable water irrigation.

A multilayered and artistic approach was taken to the planting and green infrastructure design, to enhance local biodiversity and amenity value. Over 60 new trees have been planted throughout the park to transform empty hard spaces into shady leafy green spaces, cooling the park in summer, providing habitat for birds, and improving the urban environment by filtering pollution and sequestering carbon. Over 180 linear metres of native beech hedge provide a soft boundary treatment which provides habitat and foraging opportunities for wildlife. Over 3,000m2 of wildflower swathes, bulbs and drought resistant planting provides rich nectar sources for pollinators.

A number of information signage boards have been placed around the park, designed to inform and educate people as to how the SuDS interventions and green infrastructure is designed into the fabric of the park design, as part of a conscious adaptation to climate change.

The community have taken pride – and ownership – of the new facility, which promotes social cohesion and wellbeing, together with the significant environmental benefits.

Community Garden with water channels taking water to trees and planting beds

© BDP

Information sign boards

© BDP

With increased awareness of sustainable issues and climate change directly impacting people’s lives, the design of community spaces and public realm is more important than ever. At West Gorton, the combination of natural solutions and intelligent drainage systems provide an innovative solution that supports the local community and solves many of the local council’s challenges. The result is a park that reduces flooding in one of the UK’s wettest cities, creates a net gain in biodiversity, but most importantly provides a lasting community space where residents can relax, feel safe and ultimately enjoy as a wonderful place where they can come together.

Jenny Ferguson is an Associate Landscape Architect, and chartered for over 14 years, Jenny has been responsible for the development and delivery of a number of notable projects, including the recently completed West Gorton Community Park. With a passion for contemporary ecological urban design, Jenny has a flair for creating dynamic environments, with an emphasis on enhancing people’s experience of landscape, whilst increasing ecological and environmental values.