Hoe Street – Improvements to Juniper Pocket Park

In 2023, Waltham Forest Council commissioned design team Erect Architecture to come up with ideas on how we might improve the Pocket Park at the junction of First Avenue and Hoe Street, Walthamstow.

This project is part of the series of improvements the council are delivering along Hoe Street as part of the UK Government funded programme for Walthamstow Town Centre, unlocking its potential as an inclusive, safe, and welcoming destination, including through the establishment of University of Portsmouth’s new campus at Juniper House. The plans will complement the work undertaken previously on the site and will include additional planting, street furniture and lighting to improve the public space.

The design concept integrates additional areas of planting and trees to the existing hard landscape to improve on-site biodiversity and will install gardens with Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) to improve rainwater permeability and issues with flooding. Existing trees will be maintained on the site with improved pit details to support growth and maintenance.

The scheme will also address concerns from the local community regarding anti-social behaviour and safety, particularly in the evening hours. This will include the delivery of a new lighting scheme to improve visibility, additional CCTV cameras and reviewing the issues caused by parked cars on the site.

The council is in currently in the process of delivering final improvements to the pocket park space to unlock its potential as a greener and more welcoming space which can be used by the local community.

The pocket park works are currently paused and expected to complete in Spring / Summer 2025

'Tomorrow Our Paths May Cross' - New Artwork at Juniper Pocket Park

A colourful new artwork has been installed at the Juniper Pocket Park - 'Tomorrow Our Paths May Cross'.

The artwork was designed by Artist Hanna Benihoud in collaboration with the Young Advisors Group to engage with 100 local residents, exploring the theme of connection.

Using the community insights, a pop up installation was installed at the Pocket Park made from ribbons that celebrate what matters most to people in the area.

The final artwork features the phrase 'Tommorrow our paths may cross' which reflects the 'ribbons and threads that link us and those we may encounter down the line'.

How to get in touch:

Please follow the below links to view the engagement boards on the project, presented to the public for comments and suggestions in December 2023.

If you have any questions about this project you can contact us by emailing regeneration@walthamforest.gov.uk (external link)

Download the Engagement Boards