“Southern Green are delighted to have won the Excellence in Public Health and Wellbeing category for the Landscape Institute Awards 2021. Working in conjunction with Active Communities Experiences and the wider design team we developed proposals from concept to implementation for a number of unique facilities forming Oxhey Activity Park.
The scheme was expertly delivered by Borras Construction & Active Communities Experiences during the peak of the pandemic. Oxhey Activity Park aspired to create one of the most innovative environments for wheeled sports in the UK. Facilities cater for all types of boards, bikes, scooters, skates and blades and were designed to maximise participation of all ages, genders and abilities. Each feature has been carefully positioned to encourage users to progress from one space to another as well as try new activities.
The development also includes a café with a riverside terrace, accessible adventurous play facilities, improved walking and cycling routes as well as a range of biodiversity improvements which will enhance the River Colne corridor.
Winning awards is always special, but The Landscape Institute Awards represent the pinnacle of achievement in our profession, so to receive this particular recognition is something that I, Southern Green and the wider team are incredibly proud of. The profession continues to excel itself in adapting to new challenges and improving people’s lives, and this is clearly evidenced in this year’s amazing submissions", which can be viewed following this link here: LI Awards finalists and winners 2021. The scheme was also featured on the World Landscape Architecture (WLA) industry website.
The shortlisted finalists in the Public Health and Wellbeing category showcased some great projects. It’s fantastic that there is now widespread understanding of the mental and physical benefits from green and active spaces.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “I am delighted that this major project led by Watford Borough Council has been recognised by the judging panel at the Landscape Institute Awards. Oxhey Activity Park is already proving to be a very popular place to visit and our investment has transformed the area into an exciting new sport, play and leisure facility. These awards are well deserved recognition for all those who helped design and deliver these wonderful new facilities”.
Paul Rabbitts, Head of Parks, Heritage and Culture, at Watford Borough Council, commented:
“This was a complex project for the design team led by Southern Green and we met many obstacles along the way, during design and ultimate execution. Southern Green were exceptional throughout facing each issue as it arose and coming up with solutions. The design of Oxhey Activity Park from concept to delivery was outstanding and the result is that the park now attracts visitors from across the country and overseas. This project is a milestone project – we are immensely proud of it and the immediate success of it."
This is a truly fantastic project by Watford Borough Council. Thanks to Borras Construction Ltd / Active Communities Experiences who successfully designed and built the facilities and of course our design team: xsite architecture LLP, Faithful+Gould, Steel River Consultants Ltd, AKSWard Limited, Harley Haddow, Logic | Planter Edging & Seating Specialists, Southern Green Ltd. Thanks also to Jupiter Play & Leisure Ltd who we collaborated with to design bespoke play equipment.
Click on the following links to find out more about the project: Oxhey Activity Park and Oxhey Adventurous Play
