Green Haven Park: Co-designed by local children, powered by community spirit

We recently opened a new park for Canning Town, co-designed and named by children at Star Primary School. Senior Development Manager Elizabeth Oliviera reflects on the process and what this has brought to the community.

In an area previously lacking in accessible green space, Green Haven Park at Manor Road Quarter is an example of what’s possible through genuine community involvement.

The 2.9-acre park is the latest example of how we’re helping to improve everyday life in Newham. The engagement process kickstarted with inviting 60 students at Star Primary School to take part in a workshop, giving them the opportunity to shape the park into a space that feels right for them. In creative and interactive hand-on sessions, students imagined spaces where they, their families and neighbours could unwind and connect.

Through this local community participation, Green Haven Park reflects young imaginations to create a space that isn’t just concrete and greenery, but is about joy, movement, nature, and feeling like you belong. Pupils had physical and mental wellbeing front of mind when designing the park, meaning it has been crafted to support movement, mindfulness and community, considering needs for users across all age ranges.

To encourage physical activity and support healthy lifestyles in Canning Town, the park features a running track, skate bowl, outdoor gym and table tennis tables. Bringing together all the right ingredients for wellbeing, the park also includes rain gardens, wildlife habitats, planted terraces, seating and picnic areas to boost mental health.

The whole school had the chance to enter a competition to name the park. Based on themes around health, wellbeing and nature, pupils submitted creative and thoughtful ideas that I, along with judges from the GLA selected from. Green Haven Park came out on top, capturing how the park helps people recharge and its promise to be a safe and welcoming space for Canning Town.

Seeing greening in this part of London is really special to me. My grandparents were east London locals, and I spent big chunks of life in places like Canning Town. Watching these places grow into healthy and resilient area is what our work is all about.

With phase two of Manor Road Quarter coming into view, Green Haven Park will be at the forefront of our minds as we begin community engagement again and deliver the remaining 1.7 acres of the park. Canning Town is made up of vibrant communities that can be overlooked, but Green Haven Park shows what’s possible when you tap into the energy and ideas of local people