A long-awaited community pocket park, Phoenix Park, which is part of the Gascoigne estate regeneration, was recently opened by Wates Residential and Be First, the housing regeneration division of Barking and Dagenham council. It is a “meanwhile” space, bridging the time between construction of phase one and phase three, when the final regenerated public realm will be ready.

The temporary park provides areas to sit and relax – a sanctuary for teachers from the nearby primary school – and play areas for the children. It includes raised planters, many created from recycled items from the demolition of the existing homes.

Much of the work to build Phoenix Park was done by Wates and its subcontractors, but time was also donated by local residents, community groups, and Be First itself. The design too was a collaborative affair, with the community working alongside Be First in a series of (lockdown-dictated) Zoom forums to draw up the brief.

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