Design Report of Special Project

mudchute park & farm a 'productive urban park' in central london

tutor: mel burton nick robinson name: lin han

mudchute park & farm

content

3

site overview

1

site context

1

site history

2

land use

2

site map

3

existing tree & flower species

4

existing butterflies

5

establishment period

5

existing funder

5

existing problem

6

site value assessment

7

proposal

8

masterplan

9

case study

11

management overview

12

meadows management

13

wetlands management

20

woodlans management

24

orchards management

29

potential sponsor

31

perspective drawing

32

mudchute park & farm

site overview

isle of Dogs today •population: 27,500 people, increase 50% since 1991 •residential population is relatively young •high value emplyment uses of Canary wharf •DLR & Jubilee Line Extension now link the island to the rest of london •Major Centre: focused on Canary Wharf & Crossharbour District Centre •6 primary school ond 1 secondary school

Mudchute Park & Farm is one of the largest city farms in London. It occupy 32 acres in the middle of the Isle of Dogs, it’s current target is to share with friendly fur and feathered creatures. Now is Available for events, community groups or just simply for family picnic.

This park is the largest park in isle of dogs, the Isle of dogs is relatively isolated, and there are a lot of residential area around this park. Now, except farm area, the park area do not have enough recreation or playing area for local community, most area just have some rough grass. Due to its location, surrounding context and traffic conditions, this area need more function to serve local community. It can become a sustainable and ecological city park with productive urban agriculture.

key information site location •at south of Canary Wharf •near Millwall outer Dock and Millwall •west entrance near DLR station •largest open space in this region •surrounded by residential area

context

Park

RIVER EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRIAL LEISURE

LONDON

isle of dogs

PUBLIC OPEN SPACE HOUSING RETAIL WHARF

Isle of Dogs is relative isolation, there is no bridge on River Thames in this region. The only tunnel connect the external is a footpath under River Thames from island gardens to the other side of the river, and the DLR line is on the left side of this park.

4

mudchute park & farm

site history from 1870 to 1990

1870 this area is empty

land use

Business Centre

1890 begin to have boundary and simple topography, central area is Mud, allotment garden around north boundary Residential Area 1910 begin to have grass in this area, divided into several part, do not have allotment garden around this area.

Birds View

1950 middle area became a large allotment garden Canada Square Park Jubilee Park 1970 do not have allotment garden on this map

Sir John McDougall Gardens

Millwall Park Island Park

1990 Mudchute Park & Farm

Greenwich Park

5

mudchute park & farm

site map

Site Layers Analysis

boundary & entrance Park

Farm

Allotment Garden Route existing topography Map

6.0m

m

8.0m

7.0

m

7.0m 0.0m

10.0m

8.0m

m

9.0

m

8.0

9.0

1.0

7.0m

m

8.0m

8.0m

7.0

8.0m 9.0m

m

2.0 3.0 m m

4.0m

6.0m

7.0m

6.0m 7.0m

•north, south & west boundary of this site is relatively high •centre area is flat •north-east part is the lowest area in this site

Topography 6

mudchute park & farm

existing tree species

- most trees at same age Populus nigra italica

Alnus glutinosa

catkins in April Height to 30m

catkins Height to 30m

Sambucus nigra

Sorbus aucuparis

white flower in mid summer dark purple fruit in late autumn Height to 9m

red fruit in late summer Height to 30m

- no structural complexity - poor ground vegetation

Betula pendula catkins, winged seed Height to 30m

Platanus x hybrida Height to 30m

existing flower & flowering time COLOUR NAME Lunaria annua pink Malva sylvestris purple/pink green Euphorbia uralersis Medicago lupulina yellow purple Symphytum officinale white Lamium album yellow Tussilage farfara blue Veronica persica white Capsella bursa-pastoris white Sibne vulgaris white Anthriscus sylvestris green Plantago major yellow Potentilla reptans yellow Senecio volgaris green Sagina procurmbens Chamaenerion angustifolium pink Chrysanthemum leucanthemum white & yellow Solanum dulcamara purple & yellow white & pink Rubus fructicosa white Achillea millefolium Urtica diocia green Lathyrus latifolius pink Medicago sativa purple yellow Melilotus altissima white Trifolium repens yellow Lotus corniculatus yellow Medicago lupilina Cichorium intybus blue Mentha spicata pinkish Ballota nigra pink Rosa canina white & pink white & pink Convolvulus arvensis

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

7

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

mudchute park & farm

butterfly & their plants

Aglais urticae

Vanessa atalanta

Colias cruceus

Polygonia c-album

Pieris brassicae

Inachis io

Lycaena phlaeus

Polyommatus icarus Phleum pratense

Lasiommata megera

Gonepteryx rhamni Poa annua

The Mudchute Park & Farm was established by the local Island community. Originally a piece of derelict land created during the last century from the spoil of construction from dredging Millwall Dock. For decades, this hidden natural wilderness of flora and fauna remained untouched. However, in 1974 the site was earmarked by the Greater London Council for the construction of a high rise estate. The resulting public campaign against these plans reflected the affection that local people and those working on the Island felt for The Mudchute. Their success secured it as the "People's Park" for the area.

In 1977 the Mudchute Association was formed to preserve and develop the area. Farm animals and horses were introduced, trees and plants were planted by generous volunteers and corporate teams, and the educational benefits of the area were also recognised. Since the establishment of the Association, The Mudchute has steadily built a reputation for providing a variety of educational and leisure activities on a London-wide basis.

This Park & Farm is in partnership with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

It is governed by a Board of 15 Trustees who are all local people and represent the full range of interests of the local community. The Trustees meet monthly and each member also participates actively in promoting the aims and objectives of the Mudchute Association.

Funders • London

borough of Tower Hamlets

our Equestrian Centre

up in our restaurant, Mudchute Kitchen

• mucking

out and caring for the animals

• planning

and marketing events

• assisting • helping

with fundraising activities

in the after schools club

8

Mechanical & Electrical

Children's Fund

• Mears

• The

Isle of Dogs Community Foundation

• Ballymore

• Worshipful

Company of Pewterers

• PricewaterhouseCoppers • HSBC

volunteer

• Haydon

• The

• Deutsche

• washing

Urtica dioica

Relevant Authorities

establishment of mudchute park & farm

• helping

Dactylis glomerata

Rumex acetosella

Bank

• ELBA • Valero

Group (East London Business Alliance) Energy Ltd

• Thomson

Reuters

• Barclays

Bank

mudchute park & farm

existing problem of the site Drainage Some route & path will collect water after rain, people cannot access.

Farm

Part of farm already empty, the number of animals decrease.

Access

Cannot provide easy access to whole park.

Current Situation of Park & Farm Existing farm area

Planned farm area the green area is the farm area on the map, but now ,nearly half of them are empty.

the brown area is the existing farm area, north-east part of original farm become an informal playground

muddy route

Existing Drainage Problem

Water Strategy these routes and path will collect rain water after rain, then become

la rge po n ds in t h is site collect water after heavy rains

muddy

the allotment garden is at lower level and it will collect rain water, in winter the water may freeze, people cannot grow their food t h o s e a r ro w demonstrate the direction of water.

9

water direction after heavy rain those small ponds will collect rain water at normal days

water from farm will not run into wetland area, it will have special swales and run to outside of the site

mudchute park & farm

Ecology, Visual & Play Value assessment Semi-natural Woodland • • • • • • • •

encouraging woodland flowers diverse canopy structure support high canopy birds leaf litter can support invertebrates support mammals attractive colourful canopy in autumn maybe unsafe informal recreation

Semi-natural Grassland • support ground nesting birds • support wild flowers • support more locally plants species • lack of flowering plants • untidy • informal recreation

Woodland Plantations • • • • • • •

support woodland & woodland edge birds support small mammals support woodland invertebrates support woodland flowers and ground flora attractive can be used for playing area informal recreation

Woodland Edge • • • • • • • • •

Rough or Tall Grass • • • • • •

cover small mammals, frog & toads invertebrate groups seed feeding birds increase habitat diversity unattractive fire risk

Grazing Farm • •

untidy playing area

• support ground nesting birds • support wild flower • seed feeding birds • untidy • lack of flowering plants • recreation area

10

support sun loving & shade tolerant plants support birds support small mammals support leaf litter can support wild life meadow transition zone attractive flowering, fruiting or shrub included play landscape (if accessible) relatiely safe

local biodiversity action plan • To increase the diversity, and extent, of wildlife friendly habitats in Tower Hamlets’ parks, squares and burial grounds especially in areas of open space deficiency.

• To i n t e g r a t e b i o d i v e r s i t y w i t h i n maintenance and enhancement activities in parks, squares and burial grounds.

• To promote the enjoyment of wildlife in Tower Hamlets’ parks, squares and burial grounds.

• Meadows, woodland, and marginal wetland enhancement.

Habitat types ecology value visual value play value

mudchute park & farm

proposal

potential of the site

VISION 'Through strategic design and management to allow Mudchute Park & Farm become a attractive , productive and sustainable green space, provide recreation area for local community, enhance the feature of City Farm, create diverse habitat to support biodiversity and for education purpose, also restore the ecological

rm Fa

rd

e nt t mde n r

Or c h a

PRODUCTIVE

Al G lo a

h g ss

W

an d l t

Rou G ra

BIODIVERSITY

We

tlan W eA rea d

Pla y g ro

NATURAL PLAYGROUND

be used to

support daily maintenance of park • local community can grow their own food in allotment garden

• add more layers in woodland • add wetland & ponds to collect

water and support more

wildlife • extend woodland edges • add meadows to this site • redesign rough grass to make it attractive

• children can play in wetland area • add mown grass in this site, children

and their family can

have picnic on it low maintenance natural playgound for children

• create

nd

u

n w o a ss r

Woodland

d

d la n o o

+

Allotment Garden +

Residential Area

value of this Park & Farm.'

• add orchards and berries at woodland edge • fruits picking is available for local communities • proceeds from the sale of farm products can

Farm

11

Rough Grass +

Schools

PRODUCTIVE URBAN AGRICULTURE BIODIVERSITY PLAYGROUND

G

M

mudchute park & farm

12

mudchute park & farm

key elements around site

ASDA super store

dock

millwall park

0 5 10

football pitch 13

20

50

100m

mudchute park & farm

case study Heeley City Farm General Introduction: A friendly farm and environmental visitor centre in the heart of Sheffield, Heeley, South Yorkshire.

Feature: Food Growing & Playground

City Farm in Kooragang Wetland Rehabilitation Project General Introduction:

Garden Centre sell quality plants at lower price than usual • sell a range of composts and manures •

City Farm strives to farm in harmony with all natural ecosystems, especially the wetlands which predominate on this site.

Children's Play Area • provide a special area for children • use soil to be the ground surface

The Kooragang Wetland Rehabilitation Project (KWRP) is a project of the Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority (HCRCMA).

It is at Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.

to play

Site Map

Feature of city farm: retaining natrual vegetation & community gardens • Natural vegetation also provides habitat for a wide range of native plants and a variety of birds and other animals that eat large numbers of insects and rodents. In this way maintaining biodiversity can play a vital role in pest management on a farm without the need for costly chemicals

Useful Ideas

• help to complete wildlife

• special

• added over ten thousand native trees and shrubs to link and enhance the habitat potential of the farm

play ground

• try to use natrual resource in playground • sell plants in farm shop • green roof and living wall • create special area for wildlife • growing food on vegetable beds

corridors

Cummunity Gardens

• Food, energy, shelter and other needs for people are being produced in a sustainable way that is in harmony with the surrounding landscape.

• integrated pest management: Both biological controls such as native pest predators and cultivational controls, such as companion planting and crop rotation, play a major role in pest management on City Farm.

Useful Ideas • combine farm with wetland • use natural vegetation and

animals to control insects and rodens • maintenance and enhance biodiversity • wildlife corridors • enhance the habitat potentiao of the farm • community gardens in farm

14

mudchute park & farm

management overview Management Vision

Aims & Objectives

To provide a low maintenance, self-sustaining and attractive Urban Park & Farm, enhance biodiversity and achieve productive land use purpose. Provide recreation and learning opportunities for local people, allow them get close and enjoy nature.

Aim 1: Maximize Biodiversity

Objectives: • create more layers in woodland.

• maintain and protect the diverser existing native plant communities.

• prevent invasive vegetation & the spread of certain species.

• introduce new habitat in this area.

Aim 2: Sustainable water management system

Objectives: • build sustainable drainage system to collect water efficiency.

• collect rain water and re-use it when necessary.

Aim 3: Develop education and training opportunity

Objectives: • create special garden for this purpose.

• use productive planting as a education and training opportunity.

Aim 4: Low cost and low maintenance

Objectives: • recycling water for later use and minimize the irrigation regimes.

• using less demanding species or mix.

•

Aim 5: Develop the site as financially self-sustaining

Key Themes of Management Productive Planting

Objectives: • shop, cafe and productive plants can earn money.

• hold events six times per year with free access.

Orchards/Berries Woodlands Meadows

Wetlands

develop volunteering program.

New Habitat

15

•

rent from allotment garden.

•

fees form activities with farm animals.

•

fees from membership.

•

fees from training course.

mudchute park & farm

bees & butterflies meadow

Meadows Management Use different mix to achieve long term and attractive landscape, support wildlife such as bees, butterflies, birds, small mammals and invertebrates.

MIX F MIX D MIX B

MIX B MIX F

MIX A

MIX C

MIX A MIX D

MIX B

MIX C

MIX C

MIX D

MIX E

MIX F

MIX F MIX F

Meadow MIX A - Bees & Butterflies Meadow Period Summer Sowing Rate 5g per square metre Supplier TCV Website h t t p : / / s h o p . t c v. o r g . u k / s h o p / stock?l=level3;lid=245;sid=8450 Centaurea nigra

Botanical Name Common Name Persentage Flowers Achillea millefolium Yarrow 4% Anthyllis vulneraria Kidney Vetch 3% Centaurea nigra Common Knapweed 13% Centaurea scabiosa Greater Knapweed 4% Daucus carota Wild Carrot 11% Galium verum Lady's Bedstraw 13% Knautia arvensis Field Scabious 4% Lathyrus pratensis Meadow Vetchling 2% Lotus corniculatus Birdsfoot Trefoil 10% Prunella vulgaris Self Heal 13% Rhinanthus minor Yellow Rattle 10% Scabiosa columbaria Small Scabious 2% Stachys officinalis Betony 3% Succisa pratensis Devilsbit Scabious 1% Trifolium pratense Wild Red Clover 3% Verbascum nigrum Dark Mullein 2% Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch 2% Grasses Agrostis capillaris Common Bent 5% Cynosurus cristatus Crested Dogstail 15% Festuca ovina Sheep's Fescue 20% Festuca rubra ssp. S l e n d e r C re e p i n g 20% litoralis Red Fescue Festuca rubra ssp. Strong Creeping Red 20% rubra Fescue Poa pratensis S m o o t h S t a l k e d 20% Meadow Grass

Meadow Mix Map

MIX F MIX D

key flower species

MIX C MIX F

grass species

Daucus carota

Galium verum

Lotus corniculatus

Rhinanthus minor

Prunella vulgaris

• provide food for bees & butterflies

Agrostis capillaris

Cynosurus cristatus

Festuca ovina

Festuca rubra

Poa pratensis Festuca rubra ssp. rubra 16

•

inprove visual aesthetic

•

enhance biodiversity

•

support wildlife

mudchute park & farm

long flowering meadow Meadow MIX C - Long Flowering Meadows Period Spring to Autumn Sowing Rate 4g per square metre Supplier Wildflower shop Website http://www.wildflowershop.co.uk/ WF%20Meadow%20Seed%20Mixes/ WF%20MM%20long%20season%20 mix.htm

bees & butterflies meadow Meadow MIX B - Spring Flowering Meadow Period Spring Sowing Rate 4g per square metre Supplier Wildflower shop Website h t t p : / / w w w. w i l d f l o w e r s h o p . co.uk/WF%20Meadow%20 Seed%20Mixes/WF%20MM%20 for%20spring%20flwrg.htm Botanical Name Common Name Flowers Lotus corniculatus Bird’s Foot Trefoil Sanguisorba minor Salad Burnet Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup Silene dioica Red Campion Trifolium pratense Red Clover Primula veris Cowslip Leontodon hispidus Greater Hawkbit Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye Daisy Plantago media Hoary Plantain Lychnis flos-cuculi Ragged Robin Prunella vulgaris Selfheal Rumex acetosa Common Sorrel Vicia sativa Common Vetch Rhinanthus minor Yellow Rattle Grasses Agrostis castellana Highland Bent Cynosurus cristatus Crested Dogstail Festuca rubra Red Fescue Festuca ovina Sheep’s Fescue

F e s t u c a r u b r a s s p Slender Red fescue litoralis Poa pratensis Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass

Botanical Name Flowers Agrimonia eupatoria Galium verum Lotus corniculatus Ranunculus bulbosus Ranunculus acris Silene latifolia Daucus carota Hypochaeris radicata Primula veris Geranium pratense Leontodon hispidus Centaurea scabiosa Centaurea nigra Malva moschata Verbascum nigrum Leucanthemum vulgare Plantago media Plantago lanceolata Rhinanthus minor Prunella vulgaris Knautia arvensis Rumex acetosa Achillea millefolium Grasses Agrostis castellana Cynosurus cristatus Festuca rubra ssp commutata Festuca ovina Festuca rubra ssp litoralis Poa pratensis

Ranunculus acris

Lotus corniculatus

Primula veris

Leucanthemum vulgare

Rumex acetosa Rhinanthus minor

Ranunculus acris

Common Name Agrimony Lady's Bedstraw Bird’s Foot Trefoil Bulbous Buttercup Meadow Buttercup White Campion Wild Carrot Catsear Cowslip Meadow Cranesbill Greater Hawkbit Greater Knapweed Lesser Knapweed Musk Mallow Dark Mullein Oxeye Daisy Hoary Plantain Ribwort Plantain Yellow Rattle Selfheal Field Scabious Common Sorrel Yarrow Highland Bent Crested Dogstail Chewings Fescue Sheep’s Fescue Slender Red Fescue Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass

Lotus corniculatus

Daucus carota

Primula veris

Leontodon hispidus

Centaurea scabiosa

• provide food for bees & butterflies

Agrostis castellana

Cynosurus cristatus

Festuca rubra

•

inprove visual aesthetic

•

enhance biodiversity

•

support wildlife

•

flowering in spring

Leucanthemum vulgare provide food for bees & butterflies for long time •

Prunella vulgaris

17

Festuca ovina

Poa pratensis

•

inprove visual aesthetic

•

enhance biodiversity

•

support wildlife

mudchute park & farm

general wildflower meadow

wetland meadow

Meadow MIX D - General Wildflower Meadows Period Spring - Summer Sowing Rate 4g per square metre Supplier MAS seeds Ltd. Website http://www.meadowmania.co.uk/default.cfm/ loaddoc.32

Meadow MIX E - Wetland Meadows Period Spring - Summer Sowing Rate 1.5g per square metre Supplier Emorsgate Seeds Website http://wildseed.co.uk/mixtures/view/31

Botanical Name Flowers Papaver rhoeas Ranunculus acris Malva Moschata Leucanthemum vulgare Silene Dioica Prunella vulgaris Silene laba Achillea Millefolium Grasses Agrostis capillaris Cynosurus cristatus Festuca ovina Festuca rubra commutata Festuca rubra litoralis

Silene Dioica

Common Name

Botanical Name Achillea millefolium Betonica officinalis Centaurea nigra Filipendula ulmaria Galium verum Leucanthemum vulgare Lotus pedunculatus

Persentage

Corn poppy Meadow buttercup Musk Mallow Oxeye daisy Red campion Selfheal White campion Yarrow

0.5% 2% 1.5% 2.0% 4.5% 4.5% 4.5% 0.5%

Browntop bent 5% Crested Dogstail 15% Sheep's Fescue 20% Chewing Fescue 20% Slender creeping red 20% fescue

Silene laba

Ranunculus acris

Plantago lanceolata Primula veris Prunella vulgaris Ranunculus acris Rhinanthus minor Rumex acetosa Silaum silaus Silene flos-cuculi Succisa pratensis Vicia cracca

Malva Moschata

Common Name Persentage Yarrow 2.5% Centaurea nigra Betony 2.5% Coomon Knapweed 5% Meadowsweet 5% Lady’s Bedstraw 8% Oxeye Daisy 7.5% G r e a t e r B i r d s f o o t 1.5% Trefoil Ribwort Plantain 5% Cowslip 5% Selfheal 10% Meadow Buttercup 15% Yellow Rattle 8% Common Sorrel 6% Filipendula ulmaria Pepper Saxifrage 7.5% Ragged Robin 1.5% Devil’s-bit Scabious 1% Tufted Vetch 9%

Plantago lanceolata

Leucanthemum vulgare

Ranunculus acris

Galium verum

Prunella vulgaris Leucanthemum vulgare

provide food for bees & butterflies from spring to summer

•

Vicia cracca provide food for bees & butterflies from spring to summer

•

Cynosurus cristatus

Festuca ovina

Festuca rubra

•

inprove visual aesthetic

•

enhance biodiversity

•

support wildlife 18

•

inprove visual aesthetic

•

enhance biodiversity in wetland area

•

support wildlife in wetland area

mudchute park & farm

woodland meadow Meadow MIX F - Woodland Meadows Period Spring - Summer Sowing Rate 5g per square metre Supplier TCV Website http://shop.tcv.org.uk/shop/ stock?l=level3;lid=250;sid=8462 Botanical Name Flowers Alliaria petiolata Allium ursinum Campanula trachelium

Common Name

Persentage

Garlic Mustard 10% Ramsons/ Wild Garlic 2% N e t t l e L e a v e d 1% Bellflower Digitalis purpurea Wild Foxglove 4% Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet 8% Galium mollugo Hedge Bedstraw 10% Geum urbanum Wood Avens 11% Hyacinthoides non-scripta English Bluebell 7% Hypericum hirsutum Hairy St. John's Wort 1% Prunella vulgaris Self Heal 10% Silene dioica Red Campion 12% Stachys officinalis Betony 5% Stachys sylvatica Hedge Woundwort 10% Teucrium scorodonia Wood Sage 5% Torilis japonica U p r i g h t H e d g e 4% Parsley Grasses Agrostis capillaris Browntop bent 5% Cynosurus cristatus Crested Dogstail 15% Festuca rubra ssp. litoralis S l e n d e r C re e p i n g 20% Red Fescue Festuca rubra ssp. rubra Strong Creeping Red 20% Fescue Poa pratensis S m o o t h S t a l k e d 20% Meadow Grass

Alliaria petiolata

Galium mollugo

Stachys sylvatica

Geum urbanum Silene Dioica

Prunella vulgaris

• provide food for bees & butterflies

Festuca rubra

Festuca rubra ssp. rubra

Poa pratensis 19

•

inprove visual aesthetic

•

enhance biodiversity

•

support wildlife in woodlands

•

shade tolerant species

mudchute park & farm

Meadows Management plan Establishment period of all meadows Objective

- Encourage perennial flowers and grasses to make good root development - Weeds controlled

Operations - Weeds controlled by keeping meadows mowed back.

- Flail-type mower, chop up the weeds, let it dry out.

- Cut four times per year, or when meadows height reached 250mm.

- Cut to maximize 75mm.

- Meximize weeds height 250mm.

- Remove cuttings.

- Collect fallen leaves, remove by hand ranking from Sep to Nov, twice per month.

Continuing maintenance of Spring meadows Objective

- High value of visual aesthetic before July, after cutting those area become accessible place, allow people have recreational activities here - Enhance biodiversity by support wildlife - Provide food for bees and butterflies

Operations - After flowering in June, cut back with petrol strimmer or tractor mower to 75mm height.

- Cut again to about 30-40 mm to reduce to a more dense grass surface.

- Cutting interval during late summer in order to maintain lawn surface.

- Leave cuttings to dry and shed seed for 2-3 days, then remove cuttings from site.

- From July, collect fallen leaves every two weeks near farm and path.

- A plant that colonises spontaneously and is invasive in its spread through the meadow excluding desired and sown plants can be considered weeds and need to be controlled - Hand dig or spot treat for those persistent weeds.

- Check meadows for damaged or missing each year, add new plants when necessary

main flowering period

20

mudchute park & farm

Continuing maintenance of Summer meadows Objective

- Provide high value of visual aesthetic before Sep, after cutting those area become accessible place, allow people have recreational activities here - Enhance biodiversity by support wildlife - Provide food for bees and butterflies

Operations - After flowering in August, cut back with petrol strimmer or tractor mower to 75mm height.

- Leave cuttings to dry and shed seed for 2-3 days, then remove cuttings from site.

- From Sep to Nov, collect fallen leaves every two weeks near farm and path.

- A plant that colonises spontaneously and is invasive in its spread through the meadow excluding desired and sown plants can be considered weeds and need to be controlled - Hand dig or spot treat for those persistent weeds.

- Check meadows for damaged or missing each year, add new plants when necessary.

main flowering period

Continuing maintenance of Long flowering meadows Objective

- Long time and high value of visual aesthetic before Oct - Enhance biodiversity by support wildlife - Provide food for bees and butterflies

Operations - Cut back at mid-Oct with petrol strimmer or tractor mower to 75mm height.

- Leave cutting to dry and shed seed for 4-5 days, then remove cuttings from site.

- From mid Oct to Nov, collect fallen leaves every two weeks near farm and path.

- A plant that colonises spontaneously and is invasive in its spread through the meadow excluding desired and sown plants can be considered weeds and need to be controlled.

- Hand dig or spot treat for those persistent weeds.

- Check meadows for damaged or missing each year, add new plants when necessary.

main flowering period

21

mudchute park & farm

Potential Sponsor of Meadows

Nature England

Wildlife Trust

Section 1 - Meadows in Summer

Section 2 - Meadows in Spring

Beehives

will be put on the edge of orchards planting area

22

mudchute park & farm

wetland Management Wetlands in this site is several new ponds, pond’s edge mix seeds will be sown while some pot plants will be used to create it character in a short time.

Mangement Aims Enhance biodiversity and aesthetic value, provide playing, learning and training opportunities, create a low maintain wetland area.

Objective • use pond’s edge seed mix to build wetlands vegetation community from 1-3 years.

•

use pot plants to create wetland character at first years.

controlled weeds in order to keep the biodiversity and aesthetic value of wetlands.

•

provide learning and training opportunities by showing people how to manage wetlands vegetation. (e.g. provide an training program allow people from local community, teach them the whole process of wetland management, including show them how to cut or dig etc., weeds management.)

•

use wetlands vegetation to provide food and cover for waterfowl and small mammal, insect and invertebrate.

•

use wetlands habitats to attract new wildlife by provide food or cover. (e.g. swan, wildfowl, waterfowl, small mammal, insect, invertebrate etc.)

•

Pond's Edge Mix supplier: Emorsgate seeds Sowing area: around pond’s edge, width can be 0.5-1m Sowing Rate: 4g per square metre Sowing time: sowings on ground prone to winter flooding, either in late summer or spring, once the land has drained.

Sowing method: surface sown and applied by machine or broadcast by hand. do not incorporate or cover the seed.

Botanical Name Flowers Achillea ptarmica Angelica sylvestris Caltha palustris Eupatorium cannabinum Filipendula ulmaria Hypericum tetrapterum Iris pseudacorus Lotus pedunculatus Lycopus europaeus Lythrum salicaria Ranunculus acris Scrophularia auriculata Silene flos-cuculi Succisa pratensis Thalictrum flavum Vicia cracca Grasses Agrostis capillaris Alopecurus pratensis Anthoxanthum odoratum Cynosurus cristatus Deschampsia cespitosa Festuca rubra

Common Name

Persentage

Sneezewort 0.4% Wild Angelica 2% Marsh Marigold 0.2% Hemp Agrimony 0.5% Meadowsweet 2.4% S q uare- s tal k ed S t 0.5% John’s Wort Yellow Iris 4% G r e a t e r B i r d s f o o t 0.5% Trefoil Gypswort 1% Purple Loosestrife 1.5% Meadow Buttercup 3% Water Figwort 0.3% Ragged Robin 0.5% Devil’s-bit Scabious 0.2% Common Meadow- 1% rue Tufted Vetch 2% Common Bent 12% Meadow Foxtail 5% Sweet vernal-gras 1% Crested Dogstail 36% Tufted Hair-grass 1% S l e n d e r- c r e e p i n g 25% Red-fescue

Angelica sylvestris

Lythrum salicaria

Iris pseudacorus

Thalictrum flavum

Ranunculus acris

Vicia cracca

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Silene flos-cuculi

mudchute park & farm

Pot Plants Pond collection British Natives 3

Include marginal-emergent, submerged and floating plants Use this pot plants collection to quickly establish an attractive wetland ponds edge, create character of wetland and support wildlife in the first year, sparse than the guide on website( for ponds of approx 225 square ft ≈ 20 square metre) in order to leave enough gap for sowing seeds growing. (40~50cm gap between each plants/plants basket). website: http://www.watersidenursery.co.uk/IS/ViewProduct.aspx?ProductId=238&Product=POND%20 COLLECTION%20British%20Natives%203

Marginal-Emergent

Acorus calamus - 11cm Anagallis tenella – 9cm Caltha palustris - 11cm Carex riparia Lythrum salicaria - 11cm Alisma plantago-aquatica - 11cm Carex pseudocyperus Eriophorum angustifolium – 11cm Mentha aquatic Myosotis scorpioides – 9cm Potentilla palustris – 11cm Ranunculus flammula – 11cm Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum – 9cm Sagittaria sagittifolia – 9cm Veronica beccabunga – 9cm

Submerged

Acorus calamus - 11cm Alisma plantago-aquatica - 11cm Butomus umbellatus - 11cm Cyperus longus

Floating Leaves

Alisma plantago-aquatica - 11cm

Key Species Submerged & Floating Leaves Acorus calamus Alisma plantago-aquatica Butomus umbellatus Cyperus longus Emergent Plants Caltha palustris Lythrum salicaria Eriophorum angustifolium Ranunculus flammula

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Introduction include 32 portion Native submerged oxygenators, 27 shallow Native marginal/ emergent plants (sent in 3, ready potted), 10 Native floating plants or potted rafting plants dependent on seasonal availability, 3 Native white waterlily (ready potted) and 9 contour baskets. Plants can be mixed and put in basket with additional gravel (not supplied) or plant directly in to soiled margin of the ponds for the effect of an instant clump.

mudchute park & farm

cross-section of establishment period

Management Plan Establishment Period: Year 1-3

Cut back those pots plants when they spread and cover those plants which still in establishment period..

Dense stands of single species could use selective thinning.

Digging can be selective provided workers recognise the species to be controlled.

Management Once Established Years 4 Onwards

achieved variation in structure by cutting back and removing short sections of vegetation every 2-3 years in rotation. remove vegetation as wedge. vegetation removal carried out between september and november in order to reduce disruption to wildlife. cigging can be selective provided workers recognise the species to be controlled. cut back those general overgrown species when necessary. emergent vegetation controlled by digging out the rhizomes.

Weeds Control in Ponds Area

cross-section of year 4 onwards

Duckweed (Lemna spp.): Usually left to stabilise itself, raking of if it causing problems by blocking pipes or sluices, or to prevent deoxygenation during warm summer periods.

Rigid horwort ( Ceratophyllum demersum): controlled by raking out in autumn, in order to keept the water quality.

Canada pondweed or water thyme (Elodea canadensis): controlled by thorough uprooting. In still water, using muck rakes in early spring.order to keept the water quality.

Mare’s Tail: occasionally need control, managed similarly to Canadian pondweed.

Australian swamp stonecrop (Crassula helmsii): carefully managed spraying programme by professional operators using approved herbicide.

Floating-leaved plants( Nuphar lutea, Nymphaea alba): need clearance where the water surface is densely covered.programme by professional operators using approved herbicide.

Emergent weeds: digging by hand is the main methods. (Sparganium erectum, Phragmites communis, Typha latifolia, Glyceria maxima).

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mudchute park & farm

position of wetlands Water resources once the wetland area have been established, it will collect rain water and make balance between rainfall and evaporation.

5 10

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20

50

100m

mudchute park & farm

woodland Management Existing woodland in this park only have few species, most trees at same age with no structural complexity, also some woodlands area quite sparse.

management strategy

coupe size

coppice woodland & add woodland edges

Coppice woodland will be divided up into several coupes, which cut in rotation over a period of years.

In this low maintenance project, coupe size will be 0.1 hectare, coupe shape is rectangular or square, to maximise the sunshine reaching the plot. avoid long narrow shapes.

location of management types

Management Aims Enhance biodiversity, create low maintain, productive and attractive woodlands.

In this low maintenance project, coupe size will be 0.1 hectare, coupe shape is rectangular or square, to maximise the sunshine reaching the plot. avoid long narrow shapes.

Objective

Each coupe have one edge that abuts a ride, the cut wood will be easy removed.

use coppice to regenerate ground vegetation such as woodland flora and insect.

•

Enhance shrub or ground vegetation density in coppice area.

• increase amount of invertebrates in young coppice.

• Support butterflies, moths and bees for biodiversity and productive in early years of coppice growth.

• Low open or scrub will support bird species nest in woods. Different coppice stage will support different bird species.

• All coppice stage can support different kinds of small mammals.

• Coppiced can produce poles and timber.

•

proposed new tree species existing species

type1 type2

Fraxinus excelsior Acer campestre

Populus nigra italic

Quercus robor

Alnus glutinosa

Corylus avellana

Sambucus nigra

Tilia cordata

Sorbus aucuparis Betula pendula Platanus x hybrid

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proposed new shrub species

Vibumum lantana

mudchute park & farm

Type 1: expand existing woodland by add woodland edge layers

Year 1

Year 1 Initial clearance of litter, existing dead trees, thin out dead branches.

Year 2 15 years coppicing cycle begins. add woodland edge habitat, create ecoton between woodland and meadows. include different kinds of shrubs or berry trees.

Year 5 the number of wildlife has increased. grass and other vegetation growing better in coppiced woodland area. woodland edge include shrubs and berries

Year 2

Year 5

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mudchute park & farm

Type 2: Add New Layers in Sparse Woodlands.

Year 8

Year 1 initial clearance of litter, existing dead trees, thin out dead branches. thin existing trees to create open area. add saplings between existing trees.

Year 4 ground layers growing better. the number of wildlife increased.

Year 8 the canopy of both saplings and exising trees already been closed. number of wildlife and ground vegetation will decrease.

Year 10 15 years coppicing cycle begins.

Year 1 Year 10

Year 4

coppice species after 15 years

Alnus glutinosa Fraxinus excelsior (Alder) (Ash)

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Tilia cordata (Lime)

Corylus avellana (Hazel)

Quercus robur (Oak)

mudchute park & farm

Coppice Cycle & Products wet woodlands coppice stool STOOLING

SELECTION CONTINUES BETWEEN STEMS (COMPETITION)

Wet woodlands are often very species-rich. The wet conditions encourage ferns and mosses, whilst decaying wood supports fungi and insects.

stumps

Main Species

coppice stems

Alnus glutinosa

stumps shoots

COPPICE REGROWTH

Salix fragilis

Quercus robur

timber

ENLARGEMENT AND NATURAL SELECTION OF COPPICE STEMS

wet woodlands management

Strengths

Operations - Use coppicing to increase diversity - Coppicing rotation lenghts between 10 and 20 years denpending on growth rates.

- Stools should be cut to about 25cm to ensure enough living wood for the tree to regrow.

- Pruning the upper branches of willows, repeating the process every two or three years to increase the levels of light reaching the ground.

Encourage a diverse range of native species

- Leave fallen dead wood in place wherever possible where safety allows.

- Leave fallen dead wood in place wherever possible where safety allows.

Marsh marigold

Wood horstail

Bog beacon fungus

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Maximize biodiversity.

• Control wetlands vegetation by provide shade area.

• Provide learning resource.

• Aesthetic value.

•

mudchute park & farm

wildlife responds to coppice In the first summer after cutting, woodland floor always has a rather sparse vegetation, from the second summer the ground will covered by spring flowers and other plants. The coppice area is very open in the first three or four years, allow vegetation establish and support animals. the coppice canopy closes usually after five or eight years after cutting, the shade will increase and less vegetation and animals will live in this area.

Invertebrates

Birds

Small Mammals

Many of them thrive in young coppice because it provides open ground with a particularly warm microclimate for adults feeding at flowers or hunting for prey.

Coppicing will provide low open vegetation or scrub conditions for birds species which nest in woods require area like this.

Number of small mammals will increase in first three years, then decrease but remain firely stable until the next felling, when the cycle is repeated.

Butterflies and Moths The majority of woodland butterfly larvae feed on herbs which occur along rides and in open sunny areas such as those created by coppicing.

Generally, the number of moths and the range of species increase through the early year of coppice growth.

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mudchute park & farm

orchard Management location of orchards & berries

Mangement Aims

Productive landscape, provide education and training opportunities, support financial balance.

Objective

plants orchard and berries in this park, sell fruits in farm shop. • provide course for local community about growing and maintenance of orchards. •

orchards species

orchards & berries berries

Malus domestica (Apple)

Pyrus communis (Pear)

Prunus avium 'Stella' (Cherry)

berries species

Rubus idaeus (Raspberry) fruiting time: summer to autumn

Ribes nigrum (Blackcurrant) fruting time: summer

Purnus spinosa (Blackthorn) fruiting time: autumn

Rubus fruticocus (Blackberry) fruiting time: summer to autumn 32

Ribes uva-crispa (Gooseberry) fruiting time: summer

mudchute park & farm

orchard management plan

Spacing: 5m

Apple & Pear: Pruning in late July/August

Orchard

Operation cutting back the current year’s growth on all laterals just above the six leaf form the base, ignoring the leaf cluster at the base, leaders should be left until the winter prune.

Apple & Pear: Winter pruning

Operation when all leaves dropped and the tree is dormant. the shoots already shortened in the summer to the sixth leaf are further pruned to three buds from the base. The leader of each branch should be reduced by between a third and half of season’s growth, leaving the top bud outwardpointing.

Cherry Operation only be pruned in spring, to avoid disease entering woods. Growing tips should be pinched out when new shoots have made five or six leaves.

Berry

Swales laid out on contour. water percolates into the soil. the swale is 30cm deep and 45cm across.

Sp

ac

ing

:5

m

Water Flow & percolate Direction

Berries trees are planting between the orchards and maximize land utilization and productive character.

berry management plan for those berries growing in commercial purpose area (between orchards).

Year 1 In early spring of the first year after planting, select five main stems and prune them back to 15-20cm, removing all other stem from the base.

Year 2 onwards In mid-June to July, shorten the current season’s growth back to five leaves, except for those branches needed to extend the main framework. This pruning should not remove fruit, as fruit develops mainly on the older wood, not the current season’s growth.

In winter, remove dead wood and low-lying shoots. then spur prune all side shoots by cutting them back to on to three buds from the base. shorten branch tips by on quarter, cutting to a suitable outward facing bud.

Repeat step 2 each year as maintenance pruning.

for those berries growing near woodland and open to public, in order to reach a low maintenance purpose, just pruning those berries when it overgrown or got disease.

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General operation - In early spring of the first year after planting, select five main stems and prune them back to 15-20cm, removing all other stem from the base.

- fertilizer application for all trees planting areas.

- remove any damaged branches.

- remove old wood to encourage new growth and increase productivity.

mudchute park & farm

financial balance & potential sponsor income Farm

activities sell goods (eggs, wools)

period whole year

Tower Hamlets Council Nature England Park Shop & Cafe Allotment Garden Environment Agency Wildlife Trust Pond Conservation Event

financial support financial support sell food & products Rent financial support financial support financial support hold events

whole year whole year whole year whole year whole year whole year whole year 6 per year

Bees

collect honey

sping & summer

output Park & Farm daily maintenance Park daily maintenance Woodland Wetlands Productive Planting Wetlands Woodland & Wetlands Wetlands Productive Planting & Daily miantenance of Farm & Park Productive Planting

volunteer People from local communities C.S.A - Community Supported Agriculture - sponsor an apple tree and harvest its fruit.

- help with running of an organic farm & supporting a farm shop.

- rent a plot of farm land and have begetables grown on your behalf.

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mudchute park & farm

perspective drawing 1

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mudchute park & farm

perspective drawing 2

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mudchute park & farm

perspective drawing 3

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