Redevelopment of Memorial Gardens
Memorial Gardens is a public open space to the east of the Town Hall, on the bank of the River Thames. The gardens were laid out in 1897 and were called Memorial Gardens after the First World War.
The area was redeveloped in 2003 is to create a riverside park which is both an attractive park as a destination in its own right, but also complements the town centre by providing a quiet location for shoppers, workers and visitors to enjoy either for sitting or walking along the riverside generally.
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The park sight lines allow views of the park and the Thames and creates a link from the town centre to the River Thames.
The War Memorial is located to the central axis of the Town Hall, in a location where it will be clearly visible from both the High Street and the River Thames.
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Two stainless steel sculptural gateways created by artist Antony Robinson mark the entrances to the park. The sculptures depict flying swans, which are a key feature of Staines and form part of the Borough's coat of arms.
Within the park a line of pleached flowering pear trees form a 'flying hedge' that encloses a circular space containing a smooth lawn and sunken amphitheatre. Within the sunken area two rows of fountains are located within the paving, providing movement and life within the space. The fountains are lit at night to provide a focus for the space, and can be switched off to allow the amphitheatre to be used for events and concerts.
At the eastern end of the promenade a mooring has been created to allow private boats to moor up and use the facilities in central Staines.
A row of flowering cherry trees runs along the eastern edge of the path, drawing the eye down to the sail canopies that mark the edge of the river. Beneath the sail canopies, a series of terraces drop down to a circular viewpoint overlooking the river.
The features within the park include a range of seating opportunities, viewpoints, interactive fountains, space for informal gatherings and events, moorings and a Town Pier. The soft landscape creates an interesting and diverse backdrop to these activities, generating year round interest and reflecting the original character of the Memorial Gardens.
Plan of Memorial Gardens
Image of new Market Square
View from river through to Market SquareView along the rill toward the platform and the Thames
