Elam Street open space – open to new ideas

Written by Future Brixton

October 2, 2014

Categories: Town Centre

There’s a little green space in Loughborough Junction between Gordon Grove and Lilford Road that you may have spotted from the train as it slows down to approach Loughborough Junction Station. Flanked by the Hartford Estate and the railway arches this lush green pocket is most popular with four-legged residents, but also serves locals travelling on foot or by bike who prefer a quiet greenway through the neighbourhood.

Glory Days

Long-term residents will recall Elam Street Open Space at its best; when the boardwalk decking bridged a thriving bog habitat full of wildlife, children from the neighbouring flats played on the playground, and the outdoor fitness trail was installed to encourage local residents to keep fit in the great outdoors. These investments were appreciated on arrival, but a lack of maintenance, budget and general understanding when it comes to how to use the fitness equipment has dulled the shine on this great space.

With a Little Help from My Friends

In Early 2014 the Loughborough Junction Action Group (LJAG) helped incubate the “Elam Street Friends Group” to bring together locals with a common interest in making the park a safe place for everyone to enjoy. Combined with efforts from other local non-for-profit groups such as One Planet Ventures and the Remakery, Elam Street Open Space has seen new notice board planters installed, and played host to wild food walks, volunteer planting sessions and children’s activities including tree house building, bug hotel construction, and fire making workshops in the last 6 months.

Piloting the Future

Through working with Lambeth the group has been approached to help consult on a pilot scheme that would invite relevant businesses to operate within the space in exchange for shared responsibility for maintenance. As the council is faced with cutbacks this new approach may be the best way to attract users, improve existing infrastructure, and secure a more self-sustaining future for the Elam Street Open Space.

Share your views

Please join us on Saturday 18 October at the Elam Street Open Space between 1 and 4pm to share your views with Lambeth and the Elam St Friends Group to build the future of this great space!

For more information please contact us

On twitter: @ElamStFriends

On our website: http://elamstopenspace.wordpress.com/2014/05/