Thames Barrier Park facts for kids
The Thames Barrier Park is a cool park in Silvertown, a part of London. It's named because it sits right next to the famous Thames Barrier on the north side of the River Thames. This park is about 7-hectare (17.3-acre) big. It was built to help make the area around it new and exciting. It offers a beautiful space for people to enjoy, right next to new homes and businesses. You can find it easily, as it's next to Pontoon Dock DLR station.
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What is Thames Barrier Park?
Thames Barrier Park is a modern green space in East London. It was created to bring life back to an old industrial area. The park has unique designs, including special gardens and fun water fountains. It's a great place for families and friends to visit.
Designing the Park
In 1995, a big competition was held to choose the best design for the park. Two talented designers, Allain Provost and Alain Cousseran from Groupe Signes, worked with Patel Taylor. They won the competition with their fresh ideas. Their design was one of the first "post-modern" parks in London. This means it has a very new and modern look. It features bold plant choices and playful water features.
Building on a Challenging Site
The land where Thames Barrier Park now stands used to be a factory. It was called PRChemicals. This factory left the ground very polluted. It was one of the most polluted sites in the whole country.
Cleaning Up the Land
Before the park could be built, the land needed a lot of work. Cleaning up the site took many years. It was a very careful and precise job. Workers had to remove all the harmful chemicals from the soil. This made sure the park would be safe for everyone to enjoy. It was a huge effort to turn a polluted area into a beautiful green space.
