The Nature Garden has transformed a previously neglected open space at the corner of Perth Road and Lea Bridge Road in Waltham Forest. Developed through collaboration between the council’s Regeneration and Parks teams and teachers and pupils from Sybourn Primary School, the project reimagines a small urban site as a shared nature habitat and educational space for the local community.

Located beside Sybourn Early Years Centre and close to the ecological corridors and waterways of Lee Valley and Dagenham Brook, the garden has become part of a wider network of accessible green spaces. It supports biodiversity while creating a welcoming public realm that encourages stewardship and everyday encounters with nature.

Reuse and repair guided the material approach. Existing bricks found on the site were re-used to fill gabion cages, the original gate was repaired and re-hung, crushed brick aggregate forms the main paths, and soil was retained and redistributed. Playful wildlife features – gabion habitats and bird perch posts – complement the planting and offer space for insects and birds.

The garden was co-created with pupils aged 7-11 from the school’s eco-council through a series of creative workshops aligned with the design process. These sessions explored local ecosystems and encouraged pupils to consider the types of species with whom they could share the space. Through model-making, mapping exercises and on-site discussions, the planting layout evolved to support a diverse ecology: an open pollinator habitat, a woodland planting zones to attract birds and smaller creatures, and a protected fruit and herb garden located in the outdoor classroom space.

By prioritising the needs of multi species, the project fosters learning, participation and shared stewardship, with the school and local residents continuing to care for the garden together.