28 May 2024

Community shapes designs for new “pocket park”

Designs for a new pocket park in Hackney Central have been unveiled, with work to start this summer on repurposing a dead-end street into an open, public green space, prioritising safety and wellbeing for the local community. The project will be the first to be delivered from £19 million of government "Levelling Up” funding and is part of our plans for a Greener Hackney Central.

In December 2023, the Council launched a consultation with residents, local businesses, and other stakeholders in Hackney Central about plans for a new pocket park community space on Marvin Street and proposed changes to adjacent streets - 72.3% of people who responded supported the proposals.

As part of the Council’s work to engage as many people as possible about the project, many shared their concerns, ideas and suggestions.

Here are just some of the ways we have incorporated this feedback:

To address comments about night time use of the pocket park, the designs prioritise space for children to play and for the community to enjoy the garden while passing through. The designs provide places to stop and rest, but the seating is designed so that it won’t encourage night time gatherings.
To address comments about the loss of car parking space, a review of parking demand was undertaken and found that in the area directly affected by the Marvin Street project, over 70% of households do not own a car or van and 40% of all journeys in Hackney are made on foot.
A desire for more trees than planters, native or wildlife-friendly planting for biodiversity and ensuring plants were suitable for all seasons were some of the suggestions for greenery on Marvin Street. The Council is working actively to select plants and trees that require low maintenance and are aesthetically pleasing all year round.
In response to requests for the inclusion of loading bays to accommodate deliveries, the designs include a 10m loading bay to service residents and businesses.
In response to comments about safety, lighting on Marvin Street will be unchanged by the project. Narrowing the carriageway width will allow for safer pedestrian crossing of the street.
Some people mentioned concerns about road closures. The Marvin Street project is not introducing a new road closure. Where road closures have occurred in Hackney, this has seen more people switch from private car use to walking or cycling. A quarter of people in Hackney report walking or cycling more following the introduction of active travel policies, a representative poll of local residents found.
Two cycle hangars and a dedicated cycle hire bay are included in the Marvin Street designs in response to requests.
In response to comments about signage, clear signage indicating a no through road will be installed.

Other projects which will be delivered as result of Levelling Up funding in Hackney Central can be found here. Consultation launched on the redesign of Town Hall Square earlier this month. You can share your thoughts, ideas and memories of the square here.

I am excited to see these proposals unveiled, which I am sure will deliver an inclusive, high quality and safe public green space for people to come together and feel excited to visit.
This is part of our commitment to a greener Hackney Central, prioritising street space for community, civic life, and non-motorised transport.
We will continue to be transparent with the work we undertake as a Council and maintain engagement with the community in our efforts to deliver this scheme. We will continue keeping you informed every step of the way and welcome your feedback and participation as we aim to deliver a safe, accessible, equitable, and sustainable borough for all residents, visitors and businesses.
Cllr Mete Coban MBE, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport