Investment in the borough’s public spaces continues, with plans for Memorial Gardens taking next step forward

Proposed plans are to enable greater access and enjoyment of our green and riverfront spaces, where everyone can unwind and connect with nature.

Local and RHS Gold Medal award winning landscape architects, Davies White Ltd have been appointed to lead the next phase of designs for Memorial Gardens. This work will build on the in person and online engagement workshops they hosted about the site with Kingston First in 2021, and will respond to the important feedback we heard from local communities, stakeholders and businesses. 

The project is continuing to use a co-design approach, working with local communities to shape the design, with aims to respect the space as a garden of memory and its cultural significance for commemoration and ceremony, whilst improving connectivity, safety, and inclusivity, to ensure the space is welcoming to all residents and visitors. 

To find out more about the project, view the proposed designs and provide your feedback, please come along to one of the following sessions:

In person:
When: Saturday 18th November, drop in anytime 12pm until 4pm
Where: Kingston Memorial Gardens (*rain will see the session move into the Market House, Market Square if needed)
Including: a nature craft leaf printing workshop for children of all ages

Online:
When: Wednesday 22nd November 5pm until 6pm
Where: Zoom (email to register your interest)
Email: design@davieswhite.co.uk for more information and to register for the online session

You can also visit our dedicated webpage to find out more.

Cllr Alison Holt, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Leisure said:

“Ensuring that our residents and visitors can enjoy the wonderful spaces the borough has to offer is of vital importance. With careful and respectful consideration, this is an exciting opportunity to enhance a cherished public space and attract more people into the town centre, helping to support our local economies.

 

"I look forward to hearing everyone’s feedback, and working with the team to ensure that these spaces deliver for all.“

Kirsten Henley, CEO OF Kingston First said: 

“Memorial Gardens is a unique space in the heart of the town centre. We’re looking forward to working with businesses and the local community to create a space for everyone to enjoy. We encourage everyone to get involved and share their views at the upcoming engagement events"

Davies White Ltd Directors Andrée Davies and Adam White said: 

“We are delighted to be working with Kingston Council and Kingston First on the regeneration of Memorial Gardens. You may recall we established a set of shared design values, themes and principles with stakeholders as part of the earlier phase. We then explored various design options before creating a preferred layout for the gardens.

 

"We are now looking forward to developing these proposals into a detailed and deliverable scheme through further engagement with the current and future end users and custodians. As ever we welcome everyone’s involvement and invite you to join us at one of the in person or online engagement events we are facilitating in partnership with Kingston Council”.

Also at Eagle Brewery Wharf, following the extensive feedback provided at our engagement events earlier this year, appointed architects Farrer Huxley have updated the initial designs. The revised proposals will be publicly presented in November, and we welcome all to come along to our final engagement event and let us know your thoughts;

When: Saturday 25th November, Drop in anytime 12pm until 4pm
Where: Eagle Brewery Wharf (*rain will see the session move into the Market House, Market Square if needed)

To find out more, please visit a dedicated website.