Lessons from my local park
June 8, 2020
Owen Reading
1792 Views
Ten minutes’ walk from my house in Abingdon is Albert Park. During the current pandemic lockdown, it’s become a daily part of my life, for an afternoon or evening walk. It’s become an extension of our garden, and a place for my 2-year-old daughter to stretch her legs (and see lots of dogs).
Formerly known as Conduit Field, in 1860 the new park was laid out as the centrepiece of a suburban residential development on the edge of the existing town. Today it is managed, as it has been since the 16th Century, by Christ’s Hospital of Abingdon, a local charity that still provides almshouses in the town. To the north is an arc of large and beautiful houses, and to the south a grid of streets with a mix of terraces and semi-detached homes, churches and a school. The eastern side of the park fronts a grand private school with playing fields. Within the park, a mini-arboretum of grand trees surround a large open field, a bowling green and a formal memorial to Prince Albert. Dogs run, children play, runners do the circuit.
The human value of the park in the current crisis is clear – a place of escape and recreation. Big enough to give the surrounding population space to stretch out, but compact enough to walk through quickly. Other values are also clear – the area is the most desirable in the town with even the small terraces nearby attracting premiums.
As an urban designer, I’ve pondered the lessons we can take from Albert Park for the design of future places and neighbourhoods.
Although ‘formal’, nature has space to thrive, and the park contains a variety of spaces and recreation. It’s not a ‘centre’ – there are no shops or cafes, but it is near two schools and is a clear centre of activity and defines the character of the area. It’s quite big – 300m x 220m – but uses planting to frame the space to human proportions well, and provides open space for a large catchment. In this respect the space works quite intensely, as all the best urban parks should, to make the best use of its land for its function of recreation and relief.
The use of a park at the centre of a neighbourhood to define a character is a useful tool for designers to employ, creating clear contrasts with areas where built form intensity defines centres. Although fronted by large, desirable homes, within one block are smaller houses and terraces on an attractive grid of streets laid out at the time that benefit from its proximity. The surrounding streets are quiet and pedestrian-friendly, with street trees and verges.
It has struck me that this park is a product of its time, when a park or recreational field was an object of civic pride and a gift to the and community in which the developer or organisation operated, for the long-term enhancement of the place. It was laid out for the long-term, and stewardship considered from the start. Instead of shunting it to the side, and using ‘green open space’ as a ‘buffer’ to the existing town or surroundings, a formal park was laid as the centrepiece of the new place, and as an asset and destination for the whole town. Above all, it was recognised that there was tremendous value, both human and financial, in the creation of such a place. Many pieces of research have tried to quantify the effects of great parks on financial values – for me the variety of values provided is obvious in Albert Park.

Owen Reading
Senior Urban Designer
RELATED NEWS
Refurbishment of Mortimer Square, The Hub Milton Keynes
September 13, 2023
The square was in need of refurbishment to create a more usable and attractive public space, that also benefitted the business that operate out of the area.
Recruiting Planners
August 15, 2023
We are currently recruiting MRTPI chartered planners/senior planners to join our dynamic planning and masterplanning practice.
Mexborough Futures Masterplan
August 2, 2023
The City of Doncaster Council have produced the Mexborough Futures Masterplan, a comprehensive masterplan to guide future investments and address key challenges in Mexborough Town Centre.
Policy Considerations for Site Allocations
July 31, 2023
One of the main purposes of local plans is to allocate sites to deliver strategic priorities. But what is in national policy and guidance to help authorities and practitioners with this process – from identifying sites to assessing sites to selecting sites for allocation.
End of Term Report
July 21, 2023
As we reach the end of the academic summer term, we’ve taken a look back at some of our activities in helping encourage and inspire the next generation of planners and urban designers.
DLA Working Towards Planet Mark Certification
July 18, 2023
We are proud to announce that we are working with Planet Mark to measure and reduce our carbon footprint, ensuring that we build further on sustainability in our business practices.
Resolution to Grant Bluehayes Community
July 13, 2023
The new Bluehayes community will consist of 870 additional homes and is a key part of the planned growth for Cranbrook which will take it to 8,000 new homes.
Detailed Planning Permission Secured for Baytree Leeds
June 28, 2023
David Lock Associates (DLA), on behalf of our client Baytree Logistics Development Ltd, has secured detailed planning permission for the redevelopment of the former Maritime container depot in Leeds.
David Lock Awarded with Ebenezer Howard Medal
June 20, 2023
At the TCPA Parliamentary Reception yesterday evening, our founder David Lock, was presented with the Ebenezer Howard Medal which recognises the outstanding contribution of recipients to delivering the Garden City Principles.
Active Design Guidance Update Launches
May 24, 2023
The updated Active Design Guidance was released recently, drafted by DLA on behalf of our clients Sport England.