Meristem Design were delighted to announce the official launch their Shoreditch parklet on Clean Air Day 15th June commissioned by Hackney Borough Council. This project is part of the joint partnership venture between Hackney Council, Islington Council and Tower Hamlets Council and is part of a larger initiative to encourage green spaces, cleaner air, and to promote cycling, under the Low Emission Neighbourhoods (LEN) initiative programme.

Parklets are a unique way of creating an instant mini oasis of natural calm in the midst of our busy urban realms. Situated on Calvert Avenue the 10m by 2m parklet has seating for 14 people and 8 bike parking spaces on a curb flush platform incorporating 12m of mixed shrub and herbaceous planters topped by Jasmine clad trellis together with 2 trees. The planting style brings natural beauty to the urban environment with a mixture of hardy long flowering, drought tolerant, pollution mitigating, aromatic plants together with edible herbs.

The parklet is an invigorating place-making asset for the local residential and business community as well as visitors to the area. It is cared for and maintained by the local Spitalfields Crypt Trust (SCT), a local charity providing support and practical training to assist people who have been homeless and suffering from addiction, poverty or social isolation. A SCT member said: “It’s almost like a portal to a garden as it allows you to sit amongst plants, I’m very impressed how seemingly it has integrated into our street and how often it is used”.