Northala Fields: Innovative Landmark Park from Recycled Material

Spiral mound completion.

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An exemplary park made from recycled waste, Northala Fields is situated in Ealing, and proves that creative design can be economic. Inert landfill waste from nearby developments, Wembley Stadium and the Westfield Shopping Centre at White City, was imported to the site to build the park's centrepiece - four eye-catching conical shaped mounds. Unusually, the construction of Northala Fields was self-funding with the gate fees for the imported material covering the entire project costs; advantageous to both the Council and the residents of Ealing.

Following a public consultation on the future of the former Kensington and Chelsea playing fields a design competition was held, resulting in the initial proposals and design concept for the park: art from land. LDA Design was appointed as landscape architect to carry out the detailed design proposals and manage the delivery of the park.

From the tallest mound, with a summit height of 25m, is a spectacular across the capital, the South Bank's London Eye is visible on a clear day. These manmade ‘hills' have become a distinctive landmark for thousands of commuters travelling on the adjacent A40, while providing a destination for the communities around the park, as well as an effective buffer from the noise, air and visual pollution created by this main artery in and out of London.

Construction began in summer 2004 and the park was officially opened four years later. Northala Fields now provides a large area of west London with excellent recreational facilities in an attractive setting. Sustainable design and construction methods were employed throughout the park with recycled materials including timber, plastics, concrete and bricks used in gabion walls, benches and pathways. By blending site won materials with crushed import, different growing media were designed in order to support diverse wildflower meadows.

The park includes a new amphitheatre, with hand carved seating; boating and fishing lakes and tow play areas, all linked by a pathway network for both pedestrians and cyclists. The aesthetic design is strongly defined by the diverse ecological habitats created, including wet meadows, grassland and woodland.