Warrior Square Gardens, one of the few green spaces within central Southend, is set for a massive transformation as part of a £1.8 million landscaping project designed to turn the area into a stunning and welcoming outdoor amenity the whole community can enjoy.
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council and Renaissance Southend have been working in partnership to take the Warrior Square Gardens scheme forward. Following extensive consultation, work has now commenced, and is due to be completed later this year.
Landscape architects, Gillespies, have developed a series of highly imaginative designs based around the original Victorian concept to make the best use of this valuable community asset in the heart of the town centre. The landscape design scheme presents an appraisal and celebration of the grand scale and original design intent of these historic Gardens.
Scheme Design Report
The Scheme Design Report aims to enhance Warrior Square Gardens and allow it to reach its full potential as a town centre garden space. With these proposals, we hope to enable the Gardens to once again become a part of daily life in Southend.
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The Gardens are situated in close proximity to Southend’s busy High Street. It is the only truly central green space in the town, and is very close to the new University of Essex and South East Essex College buildings which have no green space of their own. Chichester Road is a busy vehicular road and bus route. Warrior Square North is an intact row of Victorian terraced housing, which together with the green space constitutes the Warrior Square Conservation Area. Despite its central location and convenience for residents, shoppers, students and passers-by, the Gardens are not as popular as they could be.
Gardens Design
The revitalised Gardens design is composed of a number of decisive design elements that assist in defining a character and ambition for Warrior Square Gardens.
The Lime Walk
A slightly raised and stepped stone walkway is proposed as a direct and sunny walk adjacent to the retained Lime tree avenue, thus connecting the north side of the gardens. This elevated route extends from the western entrance area and so connects all areas of the Garden space. This effective plinth also presents the opportunity for a contemporary take on the traditional garden square element; that of the park bench’. As a British ‘institution’, the bench has lasted centuries of changing styles, but still acts as a marker for the specified use of these garden spaces, notably the chance to pause, take a breath and watch the world go by.
The Floral Walk
The central lawn is key to the ‘green’ perception of The Garden space. In its traditional simplicity, it provides a level canvas for a variety of activities; from informal recreation as individual or groups, to large scale gathering and events. The large lawn area presents the opportunity to move around at will and occupy the best spot, be that in full sun, shade or away from areas of activity. The grass should be maintained to a high standard that can cope with intensity of use.
In contrast to the central expansiveness of the lawn, the southern border to the Gardens is defined by a linear arrangement of planting beds. These formal beds establish the possibility to interact with plants and nature, creating a pedestrian route that intermingles with the floral beds, thus providing a rewarding and sensual ‘natural’ experience that the Garden status evokes. The planting scheme to be developed will be part shade tolerant and of an evidently sustainable nature that promotes the best of evocative nature within urban spaces.
The Entrance Square
The Gardens scheme proposed an area of defined hard paving as entrance and gathering space. This space has been designed to create a simple stone plinth from which the Gardens can be viewed. In effect it acts as a transition buffer space from the busy Chichester Road. Additionally, the introduction of gravel beneath the lime avenue will provide an extra area for events (such as markets) and will introduce a temporary flexibility to the Gardens space.
The Bridge
The bridge element will connect the Southern side of the Gardens with movements further north east. It provides a pathway as well as a ramped access up to the raised level of the elevated Lime Walk. This diagonal route facilitates fully accessible circulation around the Gardens in keeping with the anticipated informal strolling and active threshold edge.
The Play Landscape
The eastern play landscape is defined by the pathway bridge that cuts diagonally north-south through the gardens. This defined space will be dedicated to challenging and exciting play opportunities. The notion of sculptural play consists of the following elements:
• A playful undulating surface
• A seatwall that provides protection to the southern road
• Feature climbing poles and lighting elements
The Kiosk
The Kiosk is located in the entrance square to the east, along Chichester Road. It is a main focal point for the area, due to its eye catching angular shape and flower like opening mechanism.
It is envisaged that at night the structure’s visual appearance is enhanced by the addition of lighting elements.
Lighting Scheme
