plant utilisation essay bancroft park

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MR121 ‘Vegetation Analysis’

Case Study 1 of 3: Bancroft Park

Karl Barrett.

2 Plant Utilisation MR1212, Vegetation Analysis— Karl Barrett Student Number 30066539. 2009/2010. Myerscough College.2

Case Study 1: George Bancroft Memorial Park, Blackpool

“In the face of considerable physical chal-lenges, the objective was to integrate

separated communities either side of the site.’’ Landscape Institute (2010)1

1. George Bancroft Park Description and Evaluation of the Site Conditions

Location Revoe Blackpool (Appendix 1, Maps and further In formation)

Altitude Blackpool, located at 53.8167 [latitude in decimal degrees], -3.05 [longitude in decimal degrees] at an elevation/altitude of meters. The average elevation of Blackpool, is 1 meters. (Mongabay 2008)

Proximity to coast 1 mile (Google Maps 2010)

Type of scheme Public Green Space

Size 8 Ha (LI 2010)

Client: ReBlackpool (LI 2010)

Contract Value £11.5 million (LI 2010)

Completion Date May 2007

Contact Details [email protected] (LI 2010)

Awards Highly Commended 2009 Landscape Institute Awards Design over 5Ha (LI 2010)

Project Team Lead Consultant: AECOM Design and Planning (LI 2010)

Engineer: Blackpool Borough Council (LI 2010)

Lighting Consultants: Dpa Lighting Consultants QS: Gardiner and Theobald (LI 2010)

Art: Gordon Young Why Not Associates, Ian Vickers (LI 2010)

Contractors Contractor- Volker Stevin, Landscape contractor: English Landscapes

Picture (I) Landscape Institute, (2010). George Bancroft Park (phase 1). Accessed on 15/02/2010 via http:// www.landscapeinstitute.org.uk/casestudies/casestudy.php? id=59

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1.1 Introduction

A unique entrance into Blackpool from the M55 merging two once separated communities. The two sculptures have a contemporary and modern edge whilst having a functional use as climbing walls with qualified rock climbing instructors which in turn can reduce anti social behaviour in youth and provide active community participation in a ward of significant social deprivation. (Kazmierczak et al 2004, UKC 2010, Blackpool Council 2008)


1.2 Conditions

Landscape Architectural aims and objectives

Bancroft Park is the newest public Green Space in Blackpool since the 1920’s Stanley Park. The

park itself from visual observations is in excellent condition but this is to be expected as the space

is less than five years old. (Landscape Institute 2010) The Architects involved in the park regarded

the site as physically challenging as up until the late 1980s with the task of replacing a large inac-

cessible car park where the park stands today. The space was occupied by railway sidings creat-

ing a gulf between two communities therefore the objective was to integrate the two communities

either side of the site. (Landscape Institute 2010)

The alteration intended to generate a community park full of activity and a unique entrance into

Blackpool from the M55 that would support both local and visitor needs through an amalgamation

of peaceful gardens and lawns with active themed play and all-weather sports areas. This included

strong landform and planting, exciting lighting effects, sculptural walls and two dramatic climbing

towers. (Visit Blackpool 2010. Landscape Institute 2010).

This picture is an overview Satellite image of the Bancroft Park site (Re Blackpool 2010)

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Topography

Blackpool the word in itself conjures up really prominent pictures in my minds eye of the seaside

and generosity of abundant rainfall.Blackpool topography is composed from Permian and Triassic

overlain by thick deposits of glacial drift, blown sand, peat, alluvium and silt. Rocks consist of

gravel ridges and are best described as elongated whale-shaped hills formed by glacial actions

(Drumlins) The higher planes of Chorley and Leyland indicate that the underlying rocks have

emerged from this drift. (Cite)

2. Identification and Analysis of Planting Types

2.1 A summary of existing Vegetation

Pine trees are used North edge of the play area and Shrub planting used as a buffer between the

park and the housing, with meadows adjacent. Cite (Van naturalistic planting). Next to the ‘ocean

themed’ play area, tropical style planting has been used in an exciting and reviving colour scheme

example). Swathes of Phormium tenax has been used around the climbing walls. (Landscape In-

stitute 2010). See Appendix 3 for an in depth vegetation analysis – My Photographic Research,

Plant Identification and Analytical Commentary.


Above picture - Feature street furniture uses granite with anti-skateboard detailing. Minimalist feel

planting includes, Contrasting colours, Lime is reviving, red is warm and draws the eye in, Anti

skateboard seats in circles promoting community, Nice beige colour floor brightens the place up and

is reflective, Grassy verge interactive and nice for picnics and relaxing, sunbathing, Inspirational

scheme to an area that was in desperate need of regeneration.

Picture left - The climbing walls themselves are

large slabs of black concrete which act as land-

marks, with contrasting red granite walls along-

side these areas. In combination with the climb-

ing walls, bouldering walls have been constructed

using a diverse assortment of rock types. Reflect-

ing on my prior youth offending work there were

some success rates in reducing anti social behav-

iour in the area through diversionary activities.

(Blackpool Council 2008). However through a re-

flective discussion with my tutor and student col-

league I identified that the park wasn’t used

enough and no evidence was found that their was

community participation in the parks design and

construction. Suggestions were made that

schemes could have run such as plant a tree scheme and other educational horticultural inclusive

techniques.

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‘These streets hold my childhood, your childhood. Revoe is

the living heart of the town, even though it’s a dump.’

Local Resident ‘Bloomfield Talks’ (Grennan 2009)

The enclosed quote6 was extracted from ‘Bloomfield Talks’ a community developed book given

out to the residents of Revoe, (my community/residence) where Bancroft Park is situated. The

resident refers to Revoe as a ‘dump’. In my own view this is partially true in one hand we have a

Landscape Institute awarded park full of colour, vibrancy and a positive paradox to Blackpool’s

Victorian style park but on the other hand we have a ward of significant social deprivation.

Significant efforts, (above picture) are being made to regenerate Blackpool and George Bancroft

Park is a fantastic platform in Horticulture, Social Development and Urban regeneration. Hope-

fully the development will inspire the minds of others as it has mine. Whether they are positive or

negative remarks regarding this it is all a platform for discussion which is the foundations of any

community development to be sought.


Analysis

You can see Blackpool Tower in the top right hand corner following a row of terraced houses that

have been given grants to make their properties more aesthetically pleasing, followed by a sea of

neat car parking next to Blackpool business park and football club, well lit for safety and an array of

plants that will be the focus of this papers vegetation analysis.

Unfortunately litter is quite problematic for Blackpool especially during the tourist season; this can be

illustrated through looking closely at the above picture where litter is wrapped round the stem of a

rose. However the area has been well maintained through visual observation as a local resident.

On a flip side the mulch used which is wood chippings is coming onto the pavement slightly that if

not maintained could become unsightly. A minor issue is the mulch coming on to the pavement and

this is from blackbirds turning over the woodchip for worms, so it is a simple job for the road

sweeper or community members to push the mulch back onto the soil bed.

Perhaps the planting could have been better although I take an optimistic stance that the area feels

safer and more vibrant therefore the positives well outweigh the negatives and this is what Black-

pool needs. It is proved green environments has an affect on the mental health of groups and indi-

viduals and I firmly argue that as an aspiring Landscape Architect it is very important to see the big-

ger picture of the interdependent relationships between man and the landscape.

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With regards to the housing the paler colours to the far right of the colour spectrum are soft and

soothing and mix well with styles from Brighton and Devon, both seaside towns, however and this is

only an opinion the colours are a bit ‘hard’ on the eye ranging from a dark blue, to a coral and even

a grape purple colour, interestingly there is a flavour of rebelliousness with the two unpainted

houses and this to me is a perfect symbol of what the area is a clash of old and new, the past the

present and the future, social change and resistance.

All in all the entire Park has brought many immeasurable and measurable benefits to the community

and the area. As a whole Blackpool is feeling much safer and vibrant and believe it’s a positive step

forward.

2.1c Plant Identification

From the previous picture in the Analysis section, working from bottom left hand corner anti clock-

wise and then round the steel fence this essay identifies all the plants within the picture. I re-

turned in Winter 2010 and took pictures of the same bed to gain an insight of change and to see

the plants out of summer season.

‘All plant species have been chosen for their hardi-

ness to sea air and suitability for costal environ-

ments ‘

Landscape Institute (2010)

Picture to left.

Bancroft Park playground in construction, (Re Blackpool 2010)


Rosa rugosa ‘Blanc Double de Coubert’ (RHS 2006, EDAW 2010)

Euphorbia characias wulfenii (RHS 2006, EDAW 2010)

Pinus mugo ‘Mini mops’ (RHS 2006, EDAW 2010)

Rudbeckia niida ‘Herbestonne’ (RHS 2006, EDAW 2010)

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Hebe rakaiensis (RHS 2006, EDAW 2010)

Phormium cookianum hookeri ‘Cream Delight’ (RHS 2006, EDAW 2010)

Sisyrinchium striatum ‘Aunt Mary’ (RHS 2006, EDAW 2010)

Stachys byzantine (RHS 2006, EDAW 2010)


Cytisus x paecox ‘Albus (RHS 2006, EDAW 2010)

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3. Description of existing maintenance

After speaking to one of the groundskeepers, (Personal Communication Bancroft Park 2010) they

kindly gave me an overview of maintenance and expenditure as follows:

January/February

Hard landscaping

Tree work

Renewal of areas

Fencing

Path making

Planting

Hedge laying

Pruning

Edging

Re-shaping of borders

Diversions


March/April

Border maintenance

Chemical application

Turfing

Pruning

Weeding

Planting

Lawn maintenance, i.e. scarify, spike or core, top dress, fertiliser.

Start mowing, if weather suitable

Mulching seeding

General clean up after winter

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May/June/July/August

Mowing

Spraying

Weeding

Edging

Strimming

Pruning

Hedge Trimming

Fertilising

Mulching

Seeding

September/October

Mowing

Scarify/spike/top dressing/fertilise lawns

Leaf clearing

Turfing

Pruning

Cut back/clear and tidy herbaceous borders

Hard landscape

Tree and shrub planting

Spraying

November and December


November and December

Less mowing

Planting

Leaf collection

Tree work

Hard landscape

5 Recommendations

How would you improve it on Plant Species?

LI accredited highly commended therefore would not change and am proud of such a great develop-

ment the plants were planted due to their adaptability to salt tolerance and a coastal strip Lancashire

climate. (Landscape Institute 2010)

How would you improve it on Aftercare?

During observation of the park as a resident and as a prior local community worker I believe that the

maintenance is actually very good and this has been over the last three years. It is only through

time we can really see if maintenance will be kept to a high standard although it is in Blackpool’s

best interests to upkeep the park. As part of my research for this essay I had an excellent face to

face meeting with Mark Scrivens Head of Parks and Green Environment, Blackpool Council whom

holds a Myerscough College Horticulture degree to his professional work informed me that some

trees planted were not hardened off for coastal climatic conditions and it was unrealistic to expect

mature trees to survive in this location especially because of ‘wind rock’ damaging the tree root sys-

tem. Large tree canopies resulted in transpiration water loss’ that result in the leaves looking brown

and unattractive. Transplanting large trees is always difficult and even when successful, trees take

some time to establish and look healthy. Unfortunately unhealthy trees are not an option due to the

instant impact look the Council wish to achieve because of a Tourism demand.

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How would you improve it on Layout/design?

As explained previously in my analytical comments this is significant progress for Blackpool and its

important to remain positive and optimistic for a sustainable future, it could be argued that levelled

planting could have been put at a greater height and natural screens formed but on the other hand

we need to consider people’s safety which is paramount, low levelled planting, open spaces and

well lit areas all features that Bancroft Park provide.

therefore I believe the landscapes Architects vision is excellent and the park deserved the prestig-

ious LI award I can only perceive this piece of urban restructure as a positive step forward for our

local environment and a positive contribution to the community and its visitors.

(Personal Communication, Blackpool Council, Scrivens.M 2010)

My recommendations are more community participation through community development work

through the voluntary sector, an educational aspect to the park through labelling the plants so peo-

ple can learn about plant species and more horticultural incentives for groups at risk and also inter-

ested in the ethos of community, e.g. youth groups, elderly, mental health and people who would

like to make a positive contribution into their areas which in turn would help the community take

ownership.

The most significant recommendation and piece of learning is to work with nature and not against it,

choose native plants conducive to the climatic conditions and soil and plant small trees suitable for

the climate that have excellent root systems that have been supplied in Air Space pots, (Horticulture

Week 2003) and can establish and grow. This may not be instant impact but will be worth it in the

mid to long term and substantially minimise the risks of plant and trees dying in turn reducing main-

tenance costs and enforcing sustainable green spaces.


6. References

Arts Council England, G. S. (2009). Bloomfield Talks . Blackpool, England: Arts Council & National Lottery Heritage Lottery Fund.

Bricknell. (2006). The Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. London: Dorling Kingsley.

C., A. (1993). Principles of Horticulture. London: Butterworth-Heinemann.

Climbing, U. (2010). Blackpool Climbing Towers . Retrieved 03 10, 2010, from UKC

Climbing: http://www.ukclimbing.com/listings/info.php?id=539&t=wall

Council, B. (2008). Blackpool Council. Retrieved Feb 10, 2010, from Culture and Communities Report: www.blackpool.gov.uk/.../Item%205f%20-%20Culture%20and%20Communities%20report.doc

EDAW. (2004). Blackpool Project 1: Central Corridor, Phase 1 Plant Schedule. London: (Actual Landscape Architect's Planning Docu-ments, courtesy of Blackpool Council, Parks and Green Space).

Institute, L. ( 2010 ). Case studies . Retrieved February 01, 2010, from Landscape Institute: http://www.landscapeinstitute.org/casestudies/searchresults.php?cat=8

Institute, L. (2010). George Bancroft park phase 1. Retrieved 3 1, 2010, from Landscape Institute: http://www.landscapeinstitute.org.uk/case studies/casestudy.php?id=59

J., A. (January 30 2003). 'Air Space'. Horticulture Week , 01-02.

Kazmierczak, A. (2004). The Role of Urban Green Spaces in Improving Social Inclusion 2004. Retrieved 03 10, 2010, from Salford University: http://www.els.salford.ac.uk/urbannature/outputs/papers/kazmierczak_BuHu07.pdf

Mongabay. (2010). Population Of Blackpool United Kingdom. Retrieved 01 01, 2010, from Mongabay: http://population.mongabay.com/population/united-kingdom/2655459/blackpool

Personal communication, G. B. (2010). Blackpool.

Personal Communication, M. S. (2010, 03 09). Blackpool.

ReBlackpool. (2010). Central Corridor Phase 1. Retrieved 01 26, 2010, from ReBlackpool: http://www.reblackpool.com/projects/9/Central-Corridor-Phase-1.aspx

Science, U. (2010). The water cycle transpiration. Retrieved 01 12, 2010, from USGS: http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycletranspiration.html (2010) USGS Science

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