Cator Park, Kidbrooke

HTA's redesign of 8 ha Cator Park in Kidbrooke Village opened to the public last year. Working in collaboration with the London Wildlife Trust, the vision returns nature to the city and challenges the perception that urban brownfield development cannot contribute to the wider ecological and biodiversity network whilst creating successful spaces for the community.

The proposals transform the existing amenity landscape; creating a mosaic of habitats and biophilic spaces including lakes, WSUD wetlands, meadows, open amenity and wild spaces. ' Problem' wet areas have been transformed into water meadows with boardwalks where people can enjoy observing the wetland bird populations whilst creating protected spaces for wildlife. A high level of horticultural knowledge has been fundamental to delivering a predominantly native and biodiverse scheme, whilst ensuring the parkland remains attractive throughout the year.

Drawing upon the history of a lost river that once crossed the site and from where the village takes its name, the Lower Kid Brooke, a new dry riverbed creates a palimpsest wending its way from the north to the south of the park. This swale forms the backbone of the landscape approach, connecting the existing waterbodies, acting as a path and play feature that invites the public to discover and interact with the natural environment.

At the highest and most northerly point of the park, we have created a biophilic 3,000m3 play space.