Lift-off of Stratford’s Olympic Park transformation

A CGI of what South Plaza will look like

Kay Atwal, Chief Reporter Thursday, November 1, 2012
8:00 AM

A tree-lined promenade, interactive fountain and classic carousel will greet visitors to the new Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Planning permission has been granted for a beautiful new plaza in the south of the Park in the area between ArcelorMittal Orbit, the Aquatics Centre and the Stadium.

During the Olympics the South Plaza was occupied by temporary cafes, shops and toilet facilities. In their place, will be a 28 acre, dynamic landscaped area dedicated to entertainment and cultural activities.

James Corner Field Operations, the landscape architects responsible for the award winning High Line in New York have designed the Plaza. Planting designer Piet Oudolf, who was also involved in the High Line, has designed a five metre ribbon of perennial planting which will edge each of the Plaza’s features.

Dennis Hone, interim Chief Executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation, said: “Achieving planning permission for the South Plaza is another milestone for the Legacy Corporation, bringing us one step closer to realising Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

“Over the coming months as we inherit more of the Park from the Games organisers we will be able to move on to site and begin its transformation into a new part of the city and a truly unique public space.”

The South Plaza will be a place where local residents, businesses and organisations from further afield can take advantage of the unique park spaces. They will be able to host all types of activities from kids’ parties and food fairs to major carnivals and music events.The Legacy Corporation aims to open the South Park in spring 2014, following the phased opening of the North Park from July 27 2013.

The promenade will be a place to stroll and people-watch, with permanent food kiosks as well as occasional market stalls, magical lighting, benches, porch swings and climbable abacus ladders.

The creation of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park after the Games will be one of the biggest construction projects in Europe.

To allow people to get onto the Park as quickly as possible, the Legacy Corporation has planned its works to re-open the Park in phases, as each piece of work reaches completion.