Bernie Spain Gardens Survey Report February 2017 Web PDF

BERNIE SPAIN GARDENS
SURVEY REPORT
FEBRUARY 2017
CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY P.03
CHAPTER 01: BACKGROUND P.05
CHAPTER 02: APPROACH P.07
CHAPTER 03: FINDINGS P.09
Users of the Gardens P.09
Feedback: Quality assessment P.11
Feedback: Improvement P.13
Appendices P.15
Appendix I - User research P.15
Appendix II - Comments P.19
Appendix III - Map based feedback P.31
Appendix IV - Stakeholder discussions P.34
Appendix V - Consultation materials P.37

BERNIE SPAIN GARDENS SURVEY REPORT AUTUMN 2016
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
Introduction Face-to-face interviews with the Soundings team

took place in October 2016 in the Gardens, at Coin
Coin Street Community Builders (CSCB) is the social
Street neighbourhood centre, and at meetings with
enterprise that owns and manages Bernie Spain
local organisations and businesses. Opportunities to
Gardens (the Gardens). Since completion in 1988, the
participate were promoted by local and social media.
Gardens have not undergone a major upgrade. They
Responses were gathered at a series of pop-up events
are well used and continue to be an important facility
in the Gardens and through a printed and online survey.
for relaxation. However, the Gardens are beginning to
show their age. An upgrade would address these issues The survey used ‘position statements’ derived from
and allow improvements to the infrastructure, such CSCB’s initial consultation with co-op residents e.g.
as drainage and irrigation, as well as better top soil to graded responses to statement such as ‘I feel safe in
improve the grass. Bernie Spain Gardens’ – as well as gathering specific
thoughts and suggestions for improving the Gardens.
Method
Response
To assess how the Gardens could be designed to work
The consultation has been positive and the vast majority
better, CSCB consulted first with the Gardens’ immediate
of participants have been happy to get involved. Many
neighbours.
talked in-depth with the consultation facilitators while
The views of Coin Street co-op residents were initially filling out their surveys, adding colour and depth to
gathered through face-to-face meetings. A dedicated Soundings’ findings. A small number of representatives
email inbox was established and people were of local organisations and businesses from around the
encouraged to get in touch to describe what they liked Gardens were also interviewed.
and would hope to see changed in the Gardens.
CSCB then commissioned Soundings to carry out a
survey of users of the Gardens.
03
250+ 91%
people involved 201 of those who responded rate the
Gardens ‘Good or Very Good’
8 conversations
with local groups
and businesses
surveys
completed
67 online over 700

155 workers comments
134 paper
50 visitors
45 local residents
Key Findings
The survey reveals a high level of satisfaction with the Changes that were not considered important include
Gardens as they currently stand and the majority of the provision of a ‘ball game area’ (78% said ‘not very
respondents believe the Gardens are ‘good for the local important’ or ‘not important at all’), ‘an outdoor gym’
community’ (92%), ‘safe’ (87%), and ‘well maintained’ (71%), ‘outdoor table tennis’ (65%), and ‘food and
(84%). The Gardens are not felt to be ‘overcrowded’, nor drink facilities’ (61%). 35% felt a ‘children’s play area’
to suffer from ‘too much litter’. 42% felt that the Gardens important whilst 52% felt it was not.
are ‘beginning to show signs of wear and tear’; 25% Respondents feel strongly that any changes or additions
disagreed. should maintain the open, peaceful and natural
The most popular attributes of the Gardens are their environment although analysis makes it clear that there
‘green, natural and open spaces’, ‘peaceful and calm is a perceived split in the character and success of
atmosphere’ and ‘varied planting, lawns and nature’. particular areas of the Gardens. The south is considered
The Gardens’ openness in the dense urban context is an intimate community space while the north is seen to
considered a very important quality rather than just an be in much more need of attention.
attraction. Not surprisingly, given the numbers of people who work
Areas where improvements are desired include a ‘better in the area compared to the number who live in the area,
variety of planting’ (70%) while keeping the Gardens ‘as a higher proportion of those interviewed work in the area
natural and green as possible’ (90%). 59% would like to (57%) than were local residents (22%). The remaining
see ‘more opportunities for community gardening’. 51% 28% were visitors to the area or ‘others’, including
of all respondents felt ‘better lighting’ is important. 48% parents of nursery children. Where there are differences
thought a ‘dog free’ area important compared to 40% between the responses of different user groups, these
thinking it is not. are noted in the main report.
04
BACKGROUND
Coin Street Community Builders (CSCB) is a local CSCB is a founder member of the Jubilee Gardens
social enterprise that aims to make its neighbourhood Trust which has re-landscaped and now manages
a great place to live, work in, and visit. It was formed the nearby Jubilee Gardens. CSCB feels it is time to
in 1984 following a long campaign for a development improve Bernie Spain Gardens but, before agreeing
promoted by the Coin Street Action Group and the brief, wants to gather views of current users of the
supported by local community groups. The scheme Gardens. With this in mind CSCB appointed Soundings
included plans for housing, a new riverside park and to engage with users and local stakeholders to canvass
walkway, managed workshops, shops and leisure their thoughts and aspirations.
facilities.
Before appointing Soundings, CSCB had consulted
When CSCB bought the site it was derelict with no with four neighbouring housing co-ops. That
riverside walkway or park. Today, CSCB manages consultation formed the basis of the questions asked
a thriving mixed-use neighbourhood that includes within the Soundings survey. The findings of the survey
co-operative homes; shops, galleries, restaurants, will guide the development of a landscape design brief
cafés and bars; a park and riverside walkway; a and further consultation in the future.
neighbourhood centre; and sports facilities. CSCB also
organises festivals and events, and provides childcare,
family support, learning and enterprise support
programmes.
Bernie Spain Gardens was opened to the public in
1988. It is named after Bernadette Spain, a local
community activist who was part of the Coin Street
Action Group. The Gardens have become an invaluable
asset to local people, as well as to those working in
the neighbouring office spaces and people visiting the
South Bank.
05
Sunken Garden
06
Pop-up interactive display boards
APPROACH TO
CONSULTATION
Collaborating with CSCB, Soundings designed and

carried out a user and opinion survey through a series
of pop-up engagement events and focussed 1-2-1
conversations. The process and method is detailed as
follows.
Timeline
Week of 26 September 2016:

Consultation publicity
6,7,8 October (daytimes):
Public pop-up consultation events in
Bernie Spain Gardens
Week of 10 October:
Interactive consultation boards displayed
at Coin Street neighbourhood centre
18 October (evening):
Public pop-up consultation event at Coin
Street neighbourhood centre
6-23 October:
Online survey live
6-30 October:
one-to-one stakeholder meetings
February 2017:
Survey report published
07
Survey Publicity and online media

The primary consultation tool was a survey card taking Prior to and during the consultation, CSCB publicised
5-10 minutes to complete, with two main areas of focus: the consultation through their newsletters, website,
social media and local press.
1. Position statements – to obtain an assessment of
the Gardens’ current condition and management Stakeholder one-to-ones
2. Improvement suggestions – to gauge preferred In conjunction with the public consultation, focussed
areas and additions for improvement conversations with local stakeholders helped inform
how businesses and residents view the Gardens. Full
Participants either filled these out themselves, or they
details of these discussions can be found in Appendix
were completed verbatim by a Soundings facilitator
IV: Stakeholder discussions.
during conversation. Comment sections allowed
respondents to put forward ideas, suggestions or Big ideas and map boards
statements they felt relevant. The survey was also
Display boards contained an illustrated plan of the
replicated in an easy-to-use online form.
Gardens, and a large space for writing and displaying
Pop-ups ideas. Red and green stickers could be used to mark
on the map areas that participants liked and disliked
A series of pop-up consultation events took place over
in the Gardens. Post-it notes were used to display ‘big
four days - three were within Bernie Spain Gardens, in
ideas’ for how the Gardens could improve, and visions
both the north and the south sections, and one at the
for the future of the Gardens. The boards enabled
nearby Coin Street neighbourhood centre. The pop-ups
children, and those with little time, to be involved in the
were held over a range of different times both during
discussion.
the week and at the weekend. This was to provide
an opportunity for different users to participate in the Information board
survey.
An information board summarising the project was
Interactive display available at all times during the consultation – this
helped to frame the aim of the consultation and answer
Interactive boards used during the pop-ups were
early questions when a facilitator was not available.
also displayed, unmanned, in the Coin Street
neighbourhood centre lobby for five days. Any survey Examples of all the consultation materials can be found
cards were picked up and returned to Soundings. in Appendix V: Consultation materials.
08
Pop-up event participants and facilitator
USERS OF THE GARDENS
This section gives an overview of who participated in The time of year of the consultation, the times of the
the survey about Bernie Spain Gardens, and a snap events, and the format of the consultation are all likely
shot of how the Gardens are currently used. to have had an effect on who was involved, and their
responses. The events took place in early October and
Because of the location of Bernie Spain Gardens and
experienced changing weather (temperatures between
its close proximity to the busy South Bank, a wide
8-16 degrees, with wind, showers and some long spells
range of users was expected - including local residents
of sun). The worst weather came during the Saturday
and workers, and visitors from other parts of London,
event in the north section, the best while in the south
from other parts of the UK, and from abroad (see Fig
section on a weekday lunchtime.
1). The survey was therefore structured in a way that
would identify responses from the following three main Many parents and carers accompanied by young
user groups: children took part in the survey - where they often
discussed needs for younger children. Although there
01 | Living locally
were a few responses from under 16s during the
02 | Working locally events, they were perhaps the least involved age
group. Full details of the user types can be found in
03 | Visiting from elsewhere in London, the UK or
Appendix I: User Research.
abroad
The majority of participants were local workers or local
residents. Of 201 respondents, 16 had multiple links to
the area e.g. they both work and live locally.
Participants were also asked about their main reasons
for using the Gardens on that day. Given the proximity
to busy commuter routes and sites of interest, a high
number of people were expected to be using the
Gardens as a thoroughfare – the survey found that
just over half of all respondents were passing through
rather than visiting it as a destination.
09
Fig 1 | Results: What is the reason(s) for your visit to the area today/your last visit to the area?
NUMBER OF RESPONSES*
201
LOCAL WORKER LOCAL RESIDENT VISITOR

LOCAL OTHER
LOCAL ^
WORKER WORKER
57% 22% 25% 3%
* Percentages total 107% as 16 of 201 respondees had multiple reasons for being in the area
^ ‘Other’ participants do not consider themselves local residents, workers or visitors.
Fig 2 | Results: If you are going to Bernie Spain Gardens today/about your most recent visit, are you/were you...
SPENDING TIME IN
JUST PASSING THROUGH NUMBER OF RESPONSES THE GARDENS
51% 201 47%
* Percentages total 98% as 3 respondees chose not to answer this question

10
Pop-up consultation event
FEEDBACK: QUALITY ASSESMENT
The consultation survey contained two series of Some individuals also added a comment to their selection
‘statement questions’, informed by CSCB’s early to add a reason or clarity to their answer. These are
discussions with local residents (see Appendix IV: reported in the appendices.
Stakeholder discussions) which were aimed to inform a
In relation to the quality assessment, an introductory
future design brief.
question asked participants to rate Bernie Spains overall.
The first set of questions referred to an assessment of the Fig 3 shows that an overwhelming 91% of respondents
Gardens’ current condition or quality. rated Bernie Spain Gardens ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’.
Responses were quite conclusive for each question, and
findings were extremely similar between participant type.
However, it has been noted in the analysis where findings
relating to local residents stand out.
Fig 3 | How do you rate Bernie Spain Gardens?
36% 55% 4% 3%
0.5% 1.5%
Key
Very good Good Neutral Poor Very Poor Don’t know No response
11
Fig 4 | Results: How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following comments...
The landscaping in Bernie Spain Bernie Spain Gardens is a good thing for
Statement 1 Statement 2
Gardens is well maintained the local community
4% 0.5% 0.5%
31% 53% 9% 74% 18%
3% 2% 5%
Statement 3 Bernie Spain Gardens is beginning to

show signs of wear and tear Statement 4 Bernie Spain Gardens feels too crowded
2% 5% 3%
12% 30% 26% 23% 7% 7% 25% 51% 9%
Statement 5 I feel safe in Bernie Spain Gardens Statement 6 There is too much litter in Bernie Spain
Gardens
6% 6% 2% 6%
37% 50% 11% 26% 45% 10%

1%
Key
Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree No response
Position Statements
Six position statements were provided by CSCB to test
how users perceive the Gardens. These statements
(numbered 1-6 and shown in Fig 4) assess the current
quality and value of the space. The findings reflect the
very high general rating of the Gardens shown in Fig 3.
84% felt the landscaping in Bernie Spain Gardens is well
maintained.
92% felt Bernie Spain Gardens is a good thing for the
local community.
42% felt Bernie Spain Gardens is beginning to show signs
of wear and tear compared to 25% who disagreed.
60% disagreed with the statement that Bernie Spain
Gardens feels too crowded compared to 12% who
agreed.
87% feel safe in Bernie Spain Gardens.
55% disagreed with the statement that there is too much
litter in Bernie Spain Gardens compared to 13% who
agreed.
12
Pop-up outside the Coin Street neighbourhood centre
FEEDBACK: IMPROVEMENTS
Improvement statements Opportunities for community gardening were the

third most popular improvement (59% of respondents
The second set of questions referred to an assessment
stating this as very or fairly important). This was
of how the Gardens could be improved (shown in Fig
ranked slightly higher by local workers compared to
5). The suggestions for improvements were informed
local residents. Discussion with participants about
by CSCB’s early discussions with local residents.
this option found that a number were not aware of the
Responses clearly depict support for natural features existing community gardening project. For those aware
over additional infrastructure or facilities. There is of the existing opportunities - mostly local residents
similarity in the feedback between local residents, - some comments suggested more people could be
workers and visitors to Bernie Spain Gardens. encouraged to be involved.
Underneath the list of potential improvements, Better lighting was seen as an important improvement
respondents were asked to comment ‘Anything else?’. (51% of respondents stating this as very or fairly
Most participants used this space to suggest alternative important). There was slightly more agreement by local
improvements not given in the list, or to define or give workers than other users of the Gardens, suggesting
reasons for the selection they made from the list. that local workers (who use the Gardens mostly at
lunchtime) may like to use the Gardens more in the
The most popular improvement from the list provided
evening.
on the survey are for the Gardens to be as green
and natural as possible (90% of respondents stating 48% stated a dog free area is very or fairly important
this as very or fairly important), and for a greater compared to 40% of respondents stating it as not very
variety of planting (70% of respondents stating this or not important at all.
as very or fairly important). Some respondents noted
that these improvements should be planned with
the encouragement of wildlife in mind (including bird
boxes), as well as specialist/themed beds - “A wild
flower garden attracting pollinators”.
13
Fig 5 | Results: Thinking about how Bernie Spain Gardens could improve, how important might each of the following be?
Gardens as natural
and green as possible
62% 28% 7%
A greater variety of planting 28% 42% 20% 2% 7%

More opportunities for
community gardening
23% 36% 15% 14% 5% 7%
Better lighting 25% 26% 24% 7% 8% 10%
A dog free area 27% 21% 22% 18% 2.5% 9%
Information about the plants 12% 24% 42% 12% 9%
Children’s play facilities 11% 24% 27% 25% 6% 9%
Food & drink facilities 11% 16% 19% 42% 3% 9%
Outdoor table tennis 9% 17% 31% 34% 3% 6%
An outdoor gym 5% 14% 28% 43% 2% 9%
A ball game area 4% 10% 30% 48% 2% 6%
Key
Very important Fairly important Not very important Not important Don’t know No response
at all /can’t say
Information about the plants was not a high priority An outdoor gym was not seen as a particularly
for many of the respondents (54% of respondents important addition (71% of respondents stating this as
stating this as not very or not important at all). not very or not important at all).
However, some participants did see this as a positive
In relation to a ball game area, the low levels of overall
improvement (36% of respondents stating this as very
support (78% of respondents stating this as not very or
or fairly important) and comments mentioned that
not important at all) were reflected in the responses of
opportunities for children to enjoy and learn about
both local residents and workers.
nature would be a fitting addition.
Outdoor table tennis was not considered an important
52% of participants stated that children’s play
improvement by the majority of people taking part in the
facilities were not an important improvement. 35%
survey (65% of respondents stating this as not very or
of respondents see this as very or fairly important. A
not important at all compared to 26% of respondents
number of comments suggested support for play areas
stating this as very or fairly important).
or facilities using natural materials.
Food and drink facilities were not a high priority for
participants (61% of respondents stating this as not
very or not important at all). Comments highlighted
the good provision of cafés, restaurants and pubs in
the surrounding area. However, there were requests
for free water provision, and to improve the Gabriel’s
Wharf edge by having cafés opening out onto the
Gardens.
14
APPENDICES
APPENDIX I: USER RESEARCH
Fig A | Where participants who took part live (of postcodes provided)
3
3
3 41 Home postcode markers (numbers of those in very close proximity)
15
Fig B | Results: What is your favourite time(s) of day to use the Gardens?
NUMBER OF RESPONSES*
201
MORNING LUNCHTIME AFTERNOON EVENING
23% 57% 35% 19%
*Percentages total 134% as 68 of 201 respondees had multiple responses
Fig C | Results: How often do you use the Gardens?
EVERY DAY 17%
2-3 TIMES A WEEK 26%

WEEKLY 15%
MONTHLY 5%
OCCASIONALLY 20%
FIRST VISIT / I’VE ONLY BEEN ONCE 17%
Fig D | Results: How long do you usually stay?
5.5%
5.9%
16.4% Less than 5 minutes

72.2%
5 minutes to 1 hour
201 Over 1 hour
No response
16
APPENDIX I: USER RESEARCH
How the Gardens are used

General types of user profiles have been outlined on
the next page. The information presented gives a broad
overview of ‘user profiles’ depending on whether they
are local workers, local residents or visitors.
17
Fig E | Profiles: Who uses the Gardens and how
LOCAL WORKER LOCAL RESIDENT
Visit frequency 2/3 times a week Visit frequency 2/3 times a week
Stay length 5 mins –1 hour Stay length 5 mins –1 hour
Time of day Lunchtime Time of day Afternoon
Spending time Passing through
VISITOR OTHER^
Visit frequency First time Visit frequency At least weekly
Stay length 5 mins –1 hour Stay length 5 mins –1 hour
Time of day Afternoon Time of day Afternoon
Spending time Passing through
TYPES OF VISITOR
Visiting from elsewhere in London:
First time, 5 mins - 1 hour, Afternoon, ^ ‘Other’ participants are neither local workers,
Passing through residents or visitors. This group includes
Visiting from elsewhere in the UK: participants with children at the local nursery.
Occasionally, 5 mins - 1 hour,
Afternoon, Passing through
Visiting from abroad:
First time, Up to 5 mins, Any time of
day, Passing through
18
APPENDIX II: COMMENTS
Overview All comments received are listed within this report

under their relevant theme and question to which the
The principal piece of feedback assessing how the
participant was responding.
Gardens could be designed to work better, has been
drawn from the results of the ‘Quality Assessment’ and Open comments from survey respondents and big
‘Improvement’ questions (see figs 3,4,5), which are ideas board participants have been listed.
outlined in the main report.
However, in order to gain further understanding the

survey also asked a series of open-ended questions
relating to the performance of the Gardens. These have
been used to supplement thoughts around the main
findings.
The questions were as follows:
• What is the best thing about the Gardens?
• What would you change about the Gardens?
An option to add ‘anything else was also prompted

following the question
• How could Bernie Spain Gardens improve?
Visitors to the interactive display also had the

opportunity to leave notes on the ideas board. The
questions enabled respondents to provide feedback
in their own words and share their own solutions and
ideas. In total over 700 open comments were collected.
19
What is the best thing about the Gardens? • Grass

• I only really use the riverside gardens. I like them • Grass to sit down on in groups
as they are - the uncluttered naturalness • The grass is good
• It has a mix of different things to offer the visitor • The grass
• Varied • The green space near Palm flats.
• Cleanliness • The flowers when they are out
• Clean • Green space and beds
• Well-kept plants and borders • Planting
• Good planting • The lovely smelling roses
• The green grass • The plants are interesting and attractive
• Nicely maintained gardens • Nicely planted
• It’s well maintained. The plants are good and • Good plants
healthy • Trees and greenery
• I spend most time in the south garden and think • The combination of grassy space and trees
it is very well maintained. The grass and borders
• The planting
are well tended and there is a nice variety of
planting • I like the foliage
• The grass (good slope) • The planting all around
• The landscaping is fantastic for families - the bowl • Grass, community garden, trees
shape is very safe for the children as stops them • The flowers and shrubs surrounding the grassy
from running onto the road areas
• Uneven surface, grass for children to run safely • Flowers, birds, insects
• They’re clean • Love the variety of plants
• The south side is kept really clean. It’s much • The variety of flowers, plants and wildlife
better maintained than a few years ago. The • The vegetable gardens
North side is also tidier
• The array of different plants
• Tidy - no litter
• The rose garden! And the little oasis on the far
• It’s quite simple there is space to sit on grass or end near Stamford Street
benches. Simple green space in a busy area
• Natural, soft landscaping and minimal hard
• The cat and the naked cyclist surfacing
• The greenery • The big trees and fairy lights
• Lights, trees and foliage • The trees are mature and give nice shade and the
• Planting by Palm Co-op community garden gives a welcoming feel to the
• The flowers park
• Different purposes/multi purpose - wild areas, • Nature - seasonal gum trees (Australian)
slopes • Trees and roses
• The greenery • A mix of plants, grass and path. Also good having
• Lovely flowers, plants. Take children to see nature the different levels
• Contemporary planting • Love the rolling hill and growing
• Flowers, plants, greenery • Love the community veg gardens
• Community veg/fruit beds • The vegetable pens
• It’s nice in the summer • Community garden
• The landscaping is nice • It has a community garden growing veg and
flowers within the formal garden
• The trees
• I really love sitting in the circular area in the North
• The grasses
for my lunch break - we call it ‘the sun trap’
• Borders look nice
• The two parks are separate – North is more open
• Birds and a play space should be there
• To see the flowers • Lighting in the evening
• Current planting • The quiet area where you can relax during lunch
• The green trees • Nice seating
20
• Places to sit (including the lawn) • Attractive

• Seating design • The two parks are separate - this makes BSG
• Plenty of benches south feel more community focussed
• Nice seating • I was sleeping in the park 6 months ago and I
love it. It gives me a good feeling. Things living in
• Seating
it, like foxes etc!
• The benches
• Suntrap
• Plus the seating which is great
• The lovely vibe there on a sunny day with people
• Well sheltered benches sitting and chatting. The south part is lovely and
• Different types of seating real gem
• Shelter from the wind, grassy and sunny • The lovely vibe there
• Sunken garden • The contrast
• The circle - sitting by the wall • Peaceful
• Sunken garden • Peaceful space
• I really like the lights in the trees - I come by the • Quiet and calm
river just to see them • Peace and quiet
• Dogs • Tranquillity
• The different areas to sit • Calm
• Being outdoors, seating • Oasis of peace
• Close to work, but quieter and less touristy than • Oasis of calm
South Bank
• A lovely calm green area in an area of huge
• Open at all hours change and redevelopment
• Dogs should not be allowed! Every dog comes • The peace and tranquillity
here and makes waste, children come here
• Haven in busy London
• Multiple entrances
• Great place for lunch - peaceful
• Letting the nursery children run around
• It’s a quiet spot off the increasingly
• The activity commercialised South Bank
• Open green space - attracts people for lunchtime, • Peace and quiet in the city
sun trap, fun, trainers, kids, sitting and meeting
• Birds
• Public green space is always a good thing - it
• Very peaceful
gives communities a space of their own to gather
in • Calm and quiet
• It’s informality, plenty of space for people to lie • Attractive
down in the sunshine or sit and eat their lunches, • Quiet, off street, relaxing, calm
the grass is well used and appreciated as is the • Tranquillity
banks
• Peaceful
• Place for people to relax
• Peaceful
• Whilst I like the level of use the park gets at the
• It’s peaceful, nice and quiet
moment (selfishly)
• Quiet from the hustle of the South Bank
• Quiet
• Places to sit and rest on a day out in London.
• A welcome green space to relax, look around, see
Somewhere peaceful and a little bit ‘secret’
what is going on, sit and eat have picnic or café
meal, takeaway or tea • The peacefulness of the south gardens
• Space for people to socialise • Peaceful
• Place to socialise • Quiet, south gardens
• Sitting in the sun • The quiet and peacefulness
• Space to have lunch in the sunshine • Tranquillity
• Convenient location just off the South Bank but • Peaceful
not too crowded • Peace and quiet
• Love the variety of users! • South - relaxing and nicely developed
• Local people who have no gardens can feel safe • Tranquillity in a crowded area
using it. It is open enough to ensure visitors do • The sense of peace - pockets of peace
not commit too much nuisance
21
• Place to sit and rest • Open space

• The peacefulness • It is a spot of greenness
• Peaceful and green • It’s green space on the South Bank
• Like an oasis, peaceful, quiet • Lots of green open space to do something with
• Somewhere quiet-ish to eat lunch • Green space!
• A quiet oasis in the middle of a busy area • Greenness
• They are in the middle of a busy and dull place - • The greenery and soft grass as a contrast to the
like the possibility to relax hard materials of the river walkway
• Quiet, clean public space free from commercial • Green
intrusion • Green space
• It’s quiet • An attractive green open space
• Quiet, away from traffic • The plants are lovely and the houses behind look
• Quiet nice
• Quiet • The space in the middle is nice and feels like an
• It is a nice quiet green space to eat lunch. The oasis
next nearest one is a long way away • I use the north and south gardens dependent
• I enjoy the community feel (veggie patches etc.) on my mood - a calm quiet lunch break on the
circular bench in north or a more lively lunch in
• Not overrun by tourists
the south with work friends
• Just to be in a green spacious area to
• Lovely open space with place to sit/relax
contemplate
• Provides a pleasant green space to look at and to
• The green space
relax in
• The open space
• The open space and seating area out of a office
• Nature
• Having a nice green space in the sun and away
• Green space from noise
• Good green area close to the office • Catches the midday sun
• The open space • Open space in a busy area, community garden
• It is very green • Open space in an otherwise congested area
• Open space • Green space to sit away from traffic and pollution
• Green open patch of green! • Green space in middle of buildings
• Just a great place to relax! • Nice green space in central
• The green-ness • An open green space in London
• The open space • Green with real grass
• Time outdoors • No sky scrapers
• Lovely green space • The green space in the city is the best part of
• The fact that they’re green - trees, greenery and London
river. It’s lovely to have a tiny bit of nature, good • It is green space that is beautifully maintained in
for the soul an otherwise very built up area of London
• Green • Tranquillity
• Green space • Peace and tranquillity - An oasis
• A green space to relax in • It’s openness
• Open green space • Open, grassy space
• Green space • Clear grass
• Open space • Sun trap
• It’s open space - grass and trees • It’s protected from pollution
• Green open space in the city and along the river • It’s a big open space to hang around in
is great!
• Lots of space
• Nice to have a place to sit, read, chat, etc
• Space
• Good to have green space
• Spacious
• Open green area
• It’s walkable and good for stretching legs
• Green space
22
• The outlook • Not a lot

• Open space • Well maintained
• The layout • Great public area for having your lunch
• Having a large grassed area • All of it
• Also it feels more private than larger parks and • The south part
green spaces such as Jubilee Gardens • The people who come here are friendly
• South - relaxing and nicely developed
• I rather like the current configuration of the south What would you change about the Gardens?
park, especially the rose garden
• I would change very little about the Gardens
• Sheltered - away from the main tourists
• The last thing I would want to see especially in
• Sheltered from the wind the south garden, is green space sacrificed for
• Lots of space for central London ‘games’ areas or food/drink facilities
• Great place to eat lunch in, even in winter. • Interactive community experiences
Sheltered from wind + a sun trap • Update and try planting more things for
• It is a nice garden with a lovely grass area where community interest
children can roll down the hill. I bring a group • North - make more interesting, it’s a bit boring
of the children from the holiday club to use the
• Should there be more for kids?
garden and they love the big open space. Please
keep the uneven ground • Maybe more things breaking up the green space
nearest to the Oxo - some sort of features?
• Different levels for children to move/run down
• Utilise for more activities to draw people in. I think
• The dipped grass area, great for kids to roll or run
it would be good to have more plants etc. and
down
sculptures/art/fountains
• Uninterrupted view of river
• Also the grass area on the east side of North
• Getting away from the main road - Stamford gardens could be made a little more ‘exciting’. I
Street never sit there - I see it more as a cut through to
• Location, location, location the river than a ‘place’ - no plants or interesting
• Good green area close to the office things to look at
• Next to the river. Good location and access • It is really cold during winter- I will add some
tents, if possible during winter with a bar
• Close to work
• Make it more varied and interesting - gardens to
• Nicely positioned off the river
walk through and sit
• Close to work
• Maybe a couple of trees in the middle for a bit of
• The location shade. But in general the gardens are fine
• Location - close to Uni • Less wasps!
• Convenient location just off the South Bank but • The wasps (too many)
not too crowded
• Less attractive to pigeons
• It is a great location
• Animals
• The location
• More trees to create more shade spots
• Well located
• The garden/plant design is pretty sparse and
• Proximity to the river boring. Chopping down and pruning seems to be
• Location next to the Thames and Oxo Tower the order
• Green space in centre of the city • Few more trees and plants would be good
• Convenient. Away from busy road and the main • More flowers?
South Bank drag - not that crowded • More flowers and plants and trees
• It’s a great location. Nice to have green space in • More flowers (colourful)
central London for the community
• North needs more flowers and plants
• Local community
• Improve the north lawn, add grass or green to the
• It’s a potentially precious community space paved area near the river
• Informal • Make the north lawn more like a garden
• That they exist • Probably some flowers
• The design and the flowers • More trees/wooded area, more child friendly
23
• More flowers • Something to excite children about growing

• Introduce more flower beds • From a personal point of view I enjoy the area’s
• More trees quietness, so would not be in favour of children’s
facilities
• Expand it, bring in more trees
• Keep it clear and simple
• More flowers
• More variety in the empty green (north)
• Plant yew trees
• More bike racks nearby
• I would introduce more flowering shrubs and
small flowering trees especially those that bloom • Put a fence around the grass area so that no
at different times of the year dogs are allowed on the green space
• Add more tropical plants and flowers • Add exercise area - for body weight exercises
(e.g. pull up bars etc.)
• More bee friendly plants
• Outdoor park gym (not the moving green ones,
• More variety of flowers
they’re ineffective and no one uses them). Need
• Need more variety of plants pull-up bars - 5 stations in the sunken seating
• Increased biodiversity - i.e. a wildflower meadow area = wasted space
encouraging insects etc • The view of Gabriel’s Wharf
• Some current planting has proved to be a • The big ugly metal structure behind Gabriel’s
breeding ground for midges etc Wharf and bin area
• Vegetables • No.
• More plants for bees • The back of Gabriel’s Wharf should be painted! –
• More variety of flowers + plants that represent the graffiti-artist
world • Central pagoda
• Sections of specialised plants e.g. roses • Outdoor gym
• More, interesting planting • Get rid of ‘manhole’ covers
• Plant some trees for shade in the middle • Something more child friendly would be nice - just
• Love the allotment bit an area for kids?
• Can we have a pond • A little play area (portable)
• Encourage birds • Better lighting in the evening so it can be enjoyed
• An area to attract local birds and wildlife • Have better lighting in the evenings so they could
• The greenery be used throughout the day/evening
• Stop renting out to loud, commercial events on • Lighting. There used to be lights on at night
weekends - really awful! • I don’t like the open corner with the big metal
• Bring back the CSCB community action days thing
(music etc.) • The metal structure is not good and is weird
• More vegetable gardens, community allotments. • Metal cycle parking area encourages skulduggery
Sell flowers and veg to local restaurants and is intimidating to walk behind
• Child friendly areas to explore - i.e. forest school • The metal seating area on upper ground is a little
• More developed gardening (i.e. bigger space redundant - don’t often see people sitting here
to do gardening in) to enhance the community • Get rid of the cycle respite (metal structure) and
aspect of it, more for kids put back the hedge!
• More public art, statues etc • The sculpture in the north part is looking a bit sad
• A tea shop with live piano would be nice these days (maybe needs a plaque and some
new sculptures). The Sustrans silver boards are a
• Café and seating area
bit pointless - never seen anyone using them
• Café
• The area close to the road with wooden stands
• Give out free ice cream :) (metal structure) could be redeveloped as more
• Fountain/ display green space or a playground
• The paved area seems a bit pointless
Anything else important to add? • The ground surface is not very inviting
• New things should only take up space that is • A few sculptures like the Yorkshire Sculpture Park
concrete • More variety - statues
• It’s nice to have a plain uncluttered area without • Piece of art
all sorts going on. That’s not easy to find in
London
24
• More sculpture to animate and admire attractive

• Small statue or artwork or fountain from the • Make it more of a dynamic and inviting space and
Thames Water? part of the riverside walk
• More seating required • Would like to see it flourishing, vibrant, alive
• More seating • From a personal point of view I enjoy the area’s
• More seating quietness, so would not be in favour of children’s
facilities
• More seating
• Keep the southern bit quiet
• More benches...at lunchtime is not easy to find
one available • Sunken area in the north gardens can be a little
intimidating to walk past at night
• Maybe a few more seats/benches
• Maybe some public art to look at - something
• More seating areas / sheltered area when raining
about the history - sculpture maybe
• More benches
• The road cutting through could do with a zebra
• More benches - keep the same otherwise (no crossing and better upkeep from the council
other changes)
• Improved paths leading through the Gardens
• Some benches on grass space
• The sand is difficult to walk through (where the
• Free deckchairs for hire (they have them in parks north lawn is broken)
in Brisbane)
• Can be a bit dark at night too
• More benches
• More lights working so people can still enjoy the
• More benches gardens
• More seating • Make the connection better at the bank near the
• More seating Oxo Tower
• North garden needs seating • The cut-throughs should be made into paths - cut
• More seating - especially for summertime your losses!
• Picnic style seating areas • Lamps and cameras for more safety up on top of
north gardens
• More seating
• Better signage into the park (a lot of people don’t
• More seating
know it’s there or think it’s private)
• More seating or areas for picnics etc
• The far side (away from the path) isn’t so easily
• More chairs accessible or well used
• More seating • Firstly I think it should be closed at night as it
• A few more benches on the grass backs onto people’s homes. Noise travels in an
• Put in some sculptural seating otherwise quiet area. Also benches next to homes
• Seats on side near mulberry attract rough sleepers and drunk and alcohol
users at times
• A sheltered area to sit
• Patrol/lock in evenings (reducing noise and rough
• More seats and a covered area sleeping)
• More seats in the southside and better shelter • Occasionally there are large dogs not on leashes
• A covered area with picnic tables for rainy days which makes me feel less secure with my children
• Some more benches especially for when it is cold • Make it dog free if it isn’t already?
• The rose garden seating • Enforce the no dog rule-dogs mess is not nice for
• Sheltered/ covered area young children
• Extend blue lights in trees • I also dislike the dog ban
• Water fountain or feature aimed at children, • Take down the no dogs sign - everyone just
natural type playground – dens tunnels etc. brings them in. You’re not allowed them in the
• Even though there is sign ‘no dogs allowed’, it is south gardens
a small sign/hidden by the ivy. There are always • Letting dogs wander
dog faeces on the green spaces • More dogs
• I think not letting people play football in south • Should close the gardens at night
gardens - as it’s too overpowering - it has reduced • You could open up the entrances on Upper
lately Ground to make the parks more noticeable/
• No football appealing. They’re quite hidden by the metal
• Make the north part closest to the river more railings + hedges
25
• There isn’t a lot of awareness about them. Also, • The flattened plants look sad
for something so close to the South Bank there • Drainage
isn’t a strong connection to the SB or through flow
• Grass can get sparse
of people
• Soil erosion
• The Oxo service area is a bit unsightly - can it be
paved over with grass? + connected up more with • Better grass! Hedges currently are dull. Get rid of
the Courtyard. Or something put on the railings drainage squares
which overlooks the service yard? • Improve the grassy areas in the north gardens
• More bins • Look after the grass
• Bigger bins and recycle bins • The worn bits of the north lawn - put in a path!
• Remove the rubbish and rubble behind Gabriel’s • The north garden could perhaps do with a little
Wharf more ‘attention’ as the grass tends to be more
• The rubbish bins that line up behind Gabriel’s worn there
Wharf • Fix the grass in the north gardens.
• Get rid of the big wheelie bins behind Gabriel’s • Change the grass at the north side
Wharf • Better maintenance of trees
• The bins can overflow during the lunchtime hours • Keep it for the local community (south)
in the week
• Community cohesion that CSCB seem to have
• On summer days the bins overflow, so bigger bins forgotten about.
or more regular emptying would help, but this is a
• Re employ the old gardeners who were also the
minor issue
eyes and ears of the local residents. They were
• Bins aren’t big enough and not enough, especially unofficial security that knew local people
when busy
• Looks great and fine as it is, but haven’t’ heard
• They should clean it more often - I found a needle the reasons to change
here yesterday
• Make it a destination so we can skip the Garden
• Make it cleaner and no-smoking Bridge disaster
• Commercial outlets should be encouraged to use • Nothing
biodegradable packaging and as little as possible.
• Think it is fine as is
It’s good except the litter and waste
• Nothing
• Less of a smell from the bins outside Oxo Tower
• Nothing
• Visually connect both sides of the gardens - view
from the riverside • I think they are great as they are. I was surprised
when I found out they’d been made in 1988 and
• It feels like it’s tacked on/ not attached to Gabriel’s
not changed since - seem most modern and in
Wharf
good knick than that
• Landscape
• Nothing
• More privacy for the private gardens
• South - nothing
• Try make it less hidden
• No
• Area close to the road with three open gates
• Add more sun, 365 days a year!
makes it dangerous for kids - I would improve with
2 gates that could close and be opened by adults • Could be a bit more interesting
• Add a border or barrier to improve the views • Bring the ‘garden bridge’ into the gardens…
towards Oxo • Nothing
• Could change the landscaping to make it flatter • Nothing
• No, it’s well maintained • It’s OK as it is
• South side is better maintained • I feel it is good as it is
• Everything is looking a bit tired and drab • Nothing
• It looks a little tired • No, it’s lovely
• Don’t water the lawn during busy times • Nothing, it’s perfect
• Don’t use sprinklers over lunchtimes • Nothing
• Nothing apart from minor repairs • No it’s fine as a public garden
• Lighting needs fixing • Nothing, it’s beautiful and perfect. People are
• Nicer grass smiling
• Nothing
26
• Nothing • Connection to cafes opening out onto the lawn

• Nothing • Swimming pool
• Nothing • If there is yet another retail outlet selling food etc,
• Nothing there will be more people and yet more litter
• Nothing • More water outlets
• Nothing • Café!!!!
• Nothing • Add a ping-pong table
• Nothing • More planting, sculptures
• Nothing • Something to hide the bins
• There should be a sign about Bernie Spain • Swings
Gardens and who BS was and also about CSCB • Kids play area - the usual
• Information about community gardening plots like • The lights could be less bright to benefit local
in Tillgate park in Crawley residents
• More information on the actual gardens and how • It could do with much better lighting as it doesn’t
both of them are Bernie Spain feel safe in the evenings and as such doesn’t get
• More cats, or other species used to its full potential. i think ideas for ways to
light it and offer outdoor evening entertainment in
• Birdhouses
the summer would be a gorgeous idea
• Add bird boxes
• I suggest mesh green paths that grass can grow
• It would be great if it could be aimed at slightly through - like at golf clubs
younger children as there isn’t much around the
• Add a drinking water fountain
area for this age range, I think the garden should
still have a natural feel instead of a standard • More seats
playground, it would be lovely in such a busy • More benches on the south side
central location! • More seating for bad weather
• More flowers and vegetables • Shelter (glass/perspex) for when it’s raining.
• More flowers A tree tunnel that’s sheltered where homeless
• Yew trees bring light and air to a dark area people can sleep that’s safe and outreach
workers know where you are and can keep an
• Plant natural English herbaceous borders
eye on you - there used to be a place like this
• Add more planting like Michaelmas Daisies that near the British Watercolour building - this kind
bloom long into autumn - like the flower garden at of space is the first step to getting settled for
Greenwich Park homeless people
• A water feature • Shelter so I can still sit here for my lunch when it’s
• Trees / water feature in the middle wet
• The community garden is a joke. It is a bit of • Square could be improved
green washing • Too much lighting will destroy subtlety of blue
• Fountains lights, add light pollution and deter bats
• Does CSCB have a programme to enable • A water feature
employees of local business to volunteer to help • It is only overcrowded on hot days, but this is
with maintaining the Gardens? unavoidable as numbers explode on these days
• Evening film shows, theatre, concerts outdoors Take care not to add things that only a few people
• Move the veggie beds somewhere sunnier and want, and reduce the space to sit and eat lunch,
add a little stage area (near the veggie beds) which would impact many more people
including a puppet show stage (like in Portland) • Bernie Spain Gardens is a great place for the
• I work in a nursery nearby - community gardening community to enjoy. It is starting to show it’s
would be a great idea for the children to age but is very well used and well loved by the
participate and learn community, commuters and visitors to the area
• Add a chess/checkers/games board on the • Multigenerational, accessible, inclusive
ground with pieces to rent. Other games like • As an “oasis” on the South Bank, this should
boulles so people are active outside persevere over more commercial interests
• Community gardening projects for local workers • Don’t cater for specific groups (e.g. outdoor gym
or residents who don’t have their own personal or children’s play area) - make it open space for
green space and would like to get involved everyone
27
• I think it is really important to keep it a natural less. People sit on the walls facing away from
space and not to put in lots of concrete and each other and it feels very concrete and grey.
paving. It would be such a shame if it looked like The greenery feels fake and wildlife is sparse.
another Jubilee Gardens BSG should retain its community feel, abundance
• I live in palm and rarely find the park to be a of wildlife and variety of plants
problem but for many it is. Noise is certainly • No- nothing else (don’t add)
an issue so closing the south park at tonight is • Nothing really!
important as is security (perhaps patrols?)
• Nothing more
• Don’t add ‘No drinking’ to the gardens - only
• No!
‘responsible drinking’ as it would change the
whole use and vibe in the summer • Nothing else to add
• More connection to the lower green (north) • Nothing I can think of
• Also direct people to other side of the park as well • I’ll reiterate my previous points: I like the simplicity
of the gardens. I work nearby and they’re a haven
• It would be nice if there was a way to connect
at lunch or for a walk I was also surprised that
the north and south gardens visually. Perhaps
they had been made in 1988 and maintained/not
through clever use of vistas
changed since
• Add a dog poo bin
• Not much, they meet my needs well. I am more
• I would be happy to clean it myself, have concerned that the changes planned will make
contacted CSCB about a job would like to work them worse
for them
• Little. They’re fine
• It is starting to show it’s age
• They don’t seem to need changing
• The North park does look tired and the slope into
• No
the Oxo Yard doesn’t make sense!
• Don’t change anything
• The trees around are too overgrown. The council
should be responsible
Idea/vision for the future
• Thanks for asking
• Something that caters for kids!
• Above all, don’t ruin it by allowing the Garden
Bridge • North garden could do with more landscaping/
trees/play area
• As long as they don’t agree to the Garden Bridge
• Information about the plants (like the Imperial War
• Stand up against the Garden Bridge! It’s a folly
Museum)
and will cause future overcrowding and cutting
down of trees • Winter ice-rink
• Thanks for work to improve London • Good landscaping
• I would leave it as natural as possible so it • Good space to spend my lunch hour, attractively
remains wild looking rather than becoming a designed
designated playground as that will spoil it, and i • The cleanliness and orderliness
say this as a mother of a young child so please • Neat
don’t think I’m anti children!! i think the focus • A well kept space
should be on a natural feeling park space where
all are welcome including dogs, children and • Well maintained. Great public area for having
the multitude of workers looking to escape their your lunch
offices for an hours sunshine each day • They are well kept and have a variety of plants
• Let’s look to Park Güell for inspiration • It is green space that is beautifully maintained in
• No, all good an otherwise very built up area of London
• Thank you ☺ • Art on a table
• Why change? You have a winning formula • Tree house
already. Don’t wreck it by introducing noisy activity • Zip line
• If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. I am concerned about • Static adult gym please - pull up and dip bars
this kind of making over that ends up only making • A nice area for children to play!
things worse. We are obsessed with upgrading, • Climbing frames
updating and generally interfering with places that
• Add a play area
are actually just fine
• Metal sculpture is ugly and pointless
• Please don’t turn BSG into another Jubilee
Gardens. Jubilee Gardens feels sterile and soul- • More seating or areas for picnics etc
28
• Imaginative seating - i.e. a log like in Burgess wildlife

Park
• Make it cleaner Bernie Spain Gardens is beginning to show signs
• Clean and well maintained of wear and tear?
• Full of children laughing • The desire lines
• Green spaces are what make London! • North
• Green, very green
Bernie Spain Gardens feels too crowded?
• Green space
• In Summer
• Make it a dog free area
• In Summer
• Add a desire line from south-east to north-west of
the park • Sometimes
• Make it a dog free area • Only sometimes on a sunny day at lunchtime
• Magical • In the summer time
• Lovely to go to • In summer
• Child friendly • For the south side
• A great place • North
• A community garden in the heart of the city • Not utilised enough
• Lovely community garden • In the sun at lunchtimes
• Keep it like it is
Do you feel safe in Bernie Spain Gardens?
• It’s fine as it is
• The looming face of capitalism is looming (the
• Artistic gardens (like Battersea Pleasure tower)
Gardens)
• A safe place to sleep
• Beautiful
• Intimidating in the middle
• A tree kids can climb
• Keep the trees There is too much litter in Bernie Spain Gardens?
• Maze • Only occasionally see litter after lunchtimes
• Maze • In the north gardens it needs cleaning more often
• Natural kids play area - logs etc - especially in the circular area
• Flourishing • When it’s busy
• Vibrant • On the weekend
• Alive • Dog and human faeces
• A hidden Gem
• Like a secret garden Overall, how would you rate Bernie Spain Gardens?
• A green oasis in an urban community • But needs an update
• A pocket of peace • Could be a lot better but it is good it’s here
• An oasis of peace • The surprise of finding it!
• Could be busier
The landscaping in Bernie Spain Gardens is well • South
maintained? • But north lawn is very poor
• The lawn is bad
• Strongly agree: In the south, not north Thinking about how Bernie Spain Gardens could
• But on first sight it isn’t improve, how important might each of the following
be? (Written responses to the suggested list - see
• Compared to other place like Dulwich Park
Fig 5 in the main report)
• South yes, north no
• A greater variety of planting
• Fairly important: in north
Bernie Spain Gardens is a good thing for the local
• Fairly important: what there is now is good
community?
• A dog free area
• Strongly agree: especially for the bees, ants and
• Bad Idea!
• For large/dangerous dogs
29
• As long as on a lead
• A dog only area
• Maybe a specific dog area
• Children’s play facilities
• My children love the green space, there are other
playgrounds nearby
• In the middle or in north
• Trees to climb and natural kids play area
• In the south part
• An adults playground is more important
• Wooden or natural
• A ball game area
• Open at certain times
• An outdoor gym
• A static one, bars etc
• But a static one if any
• Food & drink facilities (e.g. small cafe/kiosk)
• Improve the existing (i.e. Gabriel’s Wharf)
• If this generates money to maintain the gardens -
if the money would be solely for profit then no
• More opportunities for community gardening
• Community days where the public maintain the
gardens
• Got some unused ones already
30
APPENDIX III: MAP BASED

FEEDBACK
Mapping feedback • Sunken area in the north gardens can be a little

intimidating to walk past at night
As well as the big ideas board at the pop-up session a
map of the Gardens was provided so that participants • Stop renting out to loud, commercial events on
could point out which areas they liked or disliked within weekends - really awful!
the Gardens. The map on the following pages shows • The big ugly metal structure behind Gabriel’s
these findings and provides a snapshot of what/where Wharf and bin area
the Gardens are perceived to be working well and what/ • The paved area seems a bit pointless
where they are less functional.
• It feels like it’s tacked on/ not attached to Gabriel’s
Below are the open comments made by participants Wharf
which specifically relate to areas and features in the • Lamps and cameras for more safety up on top of
north and south sections: north gardens
North section priorities • More variety in the empty green (north)
What is the best thing about the Gardens? • North garden could do with more landscaping/
trees/play area
• I only really use the riverside gardens. I like them
as they are - the uncluttered naturalness • North - make more interesting, it’s a bit boring
• The big trees and fairy lights in the north • Remove the rubbish and rubble behind Gabriel’s
Wharf
• I really love sitting in the circular area in the north
for my lunch break - we call it ‘the sun trap’ • Maybe more things breaking up the green space
nearest to the Oxo - some sort of features?
• Sunken garden
• Less of a smell from the bins outside Oxo Tower
• The circle - sitting by the wall
• Make the north part closest to the river more
What would you change about the Gardens?
attractive
• The sand is difficult to walk through (where the
• North needs more flowers and plants
north lawn is broken)
• Improve the north lawn, add grass or green to the
• The rubbish bins that line up behind Gabriel’s
paved area near the river
Wharf
• Make the north lawn more like a garden
• The north park does look tired and the slope into
the Oxo Yard doesn’t make sense!
31
• Connection to cafés opening out onto the lawn • South - relaxing and nicely developed
• More planting, sculptures • I rather like the current configuration of the
• Something to hide the bins south park, especially the rose garden
• Square could be improved • Lovely community garden
• The two parks are separate - north is more open • I would rate the south gardens good
and a playspace should be there What would you change about the Gardens?
• The view of Gabriel’s Wharf • South - nothing
• North garden needs seating • I live in Palm and rarely find the park to be a
• Improve the grassy areas in the north gardens problem but for many it is. Noise is certainly
an issue so closing the south park at night is
• The worn bits of the north lawn - put in a path!
important as is security (perhaps patrols?)
• The north garden could perhaps do with a little more
• The far side (away from the path) isn’t so easily
‘attention’ as the grass tends to be more worn there
accessible or well used
• Fix the grass in the north gardens.
• I think not letting people play football in south
• Change the grass at the north side gardens - as it’s too overpowering - it has
• Add a border or barrier to improve the views towards reduced lately
Oxo • Metal sculpture is ugly and pointless
• The Oxo service area is a bit unsightly - can it be • I don’t like the open corner with the big metal
paved over with grass? And connected up more with thing
the courtyard. Or something put on the railings which
• The metal structure is not good and is weird
overlooks the service yard?
• Metal cycle parking area encourages
• Also the grass area on the east side of north gardens
skulduggery and is intimidating to walk behind
could be made a little more ‘exciting’. I never sit there
- I see it more as a cut through t the river than a ‘place’ • The metal seating area on Upper Ground is a
- no plants or interesting things to look at little redundant - don’t often see people sitting
here
• Bernie Spain Gardens feels too crowded - in the
north • The sculpture in the north of the south part is
looking a bit sad these days (maybe needs a
• There is too much litter in the north gardens it needs
plaque and some new sculptures). The Sustrans
cleaning more often - especially in the circular area
silver boards are a bit pointless - never seen
• I would rate the Gardens good, but north lawn is anyone using them
very poor
• You could open up the entrances on Upper
Ground to make the parks more noticeable/
South section priorities appealing. They’re quite hidden by the metal
What is the best thing about the Gardens? railings + hedges
• The two parks are separate - this makes BSG south • Maybe a couple of trees in the middle for a bit of
feel more community focussed shade. But in general the gardens are fine
• The lovely vibe on a sunny day with people sitting • More benches on the south side
and chatting. The south part is lovely and real gem • Get rid of the cycle respite (metal structure) and
• The lovely vibe in the south part put back the hedge!
• The green space near Palm flats • The area close to the road with wooden stands
• The rose garden! And the little oasis on the far end (metal structure) could be redeveloped as more
near Stamford Street green space or a playground
• The peacefulness of the south gardens • Keep it for the local community (south)
• Quiet, south gardens • Area close to the road with 3 open gates makes
it dangerous for kids - I would improve with two
• South - relaxing and nicely developed gates that could close and be opened by adults
• I enjoy the community feel (veggie patches etc) and • The last thing I would want to see especially in
the different areas to sit the south garden, is green space sacrificed for
• The south part ‘games’ areas or food/drink facilities
• South side is better maintained • Keep the southern bit quiet
• I spend most time in the south garden and think it is
very well maintained. The grass and borders are well
tended and there is a nice variety of planting
• Uneven surface, grass for children to run safely
32
Mapped responses
River Thames
Riverside
Walkway
Gabriel’s
Wharf
North Lawn
Lights in trees
Oxo
Tower
Wharf
Gabriel’s Wharf edge

Oxo Approach
Sunken garden
Upper Ground
Upper Ground
Metal Screens
Palm
Housing
Bowl lawn Co-op
Borders (General)
Raised veg beds
Seating
Mulberry
Housing
Co-op
Rose Garden
Key: N
= Like
= Dislike
Stamford Street
35
33
APPENDIX IV: STAKEHOLDER

DISCUSSIONS
30 local groups and businesses were invited to • Interested in getting involved somehow
have a focussed conversation about the Gardens.
• Bernie Spain Gardens is a high spec, well-
Eight individuals expressed interest and most
designed garden
of the conversations were held informally with a
representative from Soundings. Two adjacent pubs, • Combine activities together will get people
Oxo Tower Wharf retail and dining and community interested who didn’t know they were
gardening groups were represented. • Local bulletin boards to show what’s going on for
Stakeholders were asked to think about and comment the community
on the following areas: • Colleagues use it near the Oxo edge for summer
• Current connections with Bernie Spain Gardens lunch break
and what it offers the organisation or its members/ • Bernie Spain Gardens should get involved with
users South Bank festival events
• Any specific key insights, thoughts or concerns • Bernie Spain Gardens could interact more with the
about the Gardens currently Oxo ground floor
• Aspirations for the Gardens’ future and any interest • Seats get used a lot, bring in something like picnic
in making further connections tables and water features - something to break up
The points collected in note form from these the space by the Oxo
discussions are as follows: • Access from Oxo basement is really difficult
• The lights in the trees (north) at night could be • Worried about the Garden Bridge and its effect
improved so it would be nicer to spend time at night on the Gardens. Previously working in Hanover
after work - then have markets there at night and Square and Crossrail changed local gardens in that
encourage night-time activity area so that habits of local staff changed and no
• There could be a coffee stand or food trucks to longer used the space
encourage people to venture in • Theatre groups could utilise the natural
• The gardens are like an extra outdoor space for Eat amphitheatre
- regular customers take away rather than eat in in • Tips on engaging the community - it takes years
the summer and you have to keep going and show people
• Staff go home straight after their shift so only use that other people are committed (to community
the Gardens to walk through gardening)
• Manager and other staff go home via Waterloo so • Also have to have a conversation and take the
miss the Gardens and don’t walk in that direction individual approach to engaging new growers
in a community garden like Bernie Spain
• Have multi-activity events to gain interest in the
Gardens
Gardens
• More signage and questions like ‘What’s happening
• Local businesses could get involved in community
here?” when events are on
activities - this could be done by improving
promotion of what’s going on
• As a company we would not necessarily get
involved in something community based because
the company is based in west London and staff do
not live nearby
• The staff have their own interests and skills so
may be interested in getting involved in community
events or activities based on those areas - would
like a bulletin about what’s going on and what skills
are required to help i.e. design skills
• No sense of community with Bernie Spain Gardens
or CSCB
34
Residents involvement want it to be done in the spirit of benefit for the local living
and working community
As well as having the chance to take part in the formal
consultation, residents were able to get involved at • People don’t want another Jubilee Garden’s space: that’s
the inception of the survey by attending a focussed fine for the millions of visitors down there. Bernie Spain
general meeting, and submitting comments via email. Gardens may need an upgrade but it needs to retain its
Co-op secretaries were approached in February 2016, identity. It also needs that quietness, green and flowers
and the Gardens were discussed at two housing co-op that local people are asking for in the current proposed
general meetings in April. The comments and concerns discussion about the Jubilee Gardens extension
informed the approach to the consultation plan. • It is much used by local workers and always has been
Records from early discussions between Coin Street • There are irrigation issues to be addressed
Community Builders and Coin Street co-op residents • It must be seen and used for the smaller space it is than
Jubilee Gardens
• Keep the English garden feel
• Lighting must not become dominant
• There are lots of well-established trees, plants and
bushes in the gardens which are absolutely beautiful. • Glad that there is no intention to remove mature trees
Could you confirm that these will be kept? • I acknowledge there is room for developing the range
• I would prefer both sections of the Gardens – north and and interest of flowers. There is scope on the riverside
south – to be dog free beds as well for more interesting planting
• A gardening training scheme is a good idea but trainees • Be considerate about how much grass needs to go to
should be paid. beds. Obviously some grass needs to be nurtured and
loved and some could go to beds. But people do enjoy
• I would like to see the removal of the wooden slatted the green grass
seating/metal structure in the corner of the south
gardens. It is an unattractive structure and not really • People enjoy the sunken garden space
used. • My main request is that the zebra crossing that used to
• Keep the mulberry tree and all the lovely plants that are be between the 2 sections of the park is re-instated. I
established particularly like the south side of the park as it is, and the
gardeners need to be congratulated for producing such
• Build in irrigation beautiful scented flowers. There is as much need for the
• The slope into the Oxo goods yard has always been an park to be policed to reduce noise after midnight as for a
untidy and somewhat dangerous edge to that space make-over
• The areas backing onto houses that have become • Not sure I understand what’s wrong with Bernie Spain
secluded spots for rough sleepers and anti-social gardens, as it stands. We like our green space just the
behaviour and have caused a lot of nuisance to residents way it is. The children’s play area we have been waiting
• Any design improvements should have the impact 10 years for, should take precedence!
of the residents most affected as the most important • Keep the mature trees
consideration • Introduce more signage
• I welcome the proposal to look at improving CCTV and • Introduce a training scheme
lighting in the park and to community gardening projects,
and it is good to build on what have been excellent • No buildings should encroach on the green space
initiatives with Bankside Open Spaces • Surface area which is large and green
• Form a steering group from among co-op residents could • Create intimate spaces
be a useful way forward • Keep the rose garden and fragranced planting (at
• Full transparency about potential funding is important entrances), and year round colour
• Bigger signs so that people are aware that no dogs are • Circular garden is a sun trap and sheltered
allowed in the garden • Spaces seem less threatening with the right lighting but
• Have a fence around the green area - create a physical does lighting impact on the wildlife?
barrier for dog walkers and also a nice area for office • Introduce different types of seating for all abilities – fully
people and children to use the garden accessible
• Keep the uneven level of the garden - children love to • Improve the link between north and south parks
roll down the hill - currently we are discouraging them • The gardens should be a ‘haven of tranquility’, and they
because of dog faeces should be kept a quiet space.
• I really like the sunken garden on the Oxo Tower side of • The planting is good as it is and does not need upgrading
the Upper Ground, near Gabriel’s Wharf. So hope you
• The sunken area in the north park is intimidating because
keep that as it is. It is peaceful and a sun spot. I often go
of drinkers etc
and sit there
• The proposed apprenticeships could be paid
• I acknowledge the need for repair and refurbishment but
35
• The gardens should be a place of ‘peace and tranquility’

• The humanitarian memorial should be small as there is
not much space
• The sunken circle is ‘dead space’ this area may be
appropriate for the memorial
• Redirect paths to reflect desire lines
• The idea of trainee gardeners is good. Iroko and
Mulberry housing co-ops’ central gardens could also form
part of the area to be tended by them
• Gardens should not be dog free
• The regeneration of the park is not for the community
• There should be a playground
• The circular sunken area is underused because it is
partly hidden
• The Gardens should have good sightlines
• Install a plaque for Bernie Spain to explain the naming
etc
• Like the horticultural ambition and humanitarian aid
memorial idea
• A quiet contemplative space is an essential part
• The Gardens need to reflect the community
• I would love to see the blue elephants replaced Perhaps
the upgrade can at least give a nod to them in some way
• Have a dog free area
• We like well managed events on the gardens
• Just because the gardens are showing their age
shouldn’t mean we get rid of the really nice parts
• There are some wonderful trees and plants that I really
hope you’ll keep. It would be nice to have something
somewhere visible that tells people what they all are
• Please let me keep the nice view from my kitchen
36
APPENDIX V: CONSULTATION MATERIALS
BACKGROUND CONTEXT BERNIE SPAIN GARDENS OVERALL
Bernie Spain Gardens has not seen an upgrade since its creation in 1988. So today, 3 | How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following comments...
Coin Street Community Builders - the local social enterprise that looks after the park - is
exploring ways to improve the space for its local community and visitors. Thinking about Bernie Spain Gardens’
current character qualities...
The feedback you give will help inform a design brief for landscape specialists to help the The landscaping in Bernie Spain Bernie Spain Gardens is a good Bernie Spain Gardens is beginning
park continue to thrive. Gardens is well maintained thing for the local community to show signs of wear and tear
1 | What is the best thing about
Please complete the survey clearly, and do let us know if you have any questions.
the Gardens?
Strongly agree Strongly agree Strongly agree
HOW YOU USE THE GARDENS
Agree Agree Agree
1 | What is the reason for your visit to 3 | How often do you use the Neither agree nor disagree Neither agree nor disagree Neither agree nor disagree
the area today? (Tick any that apply) Gardens?
Disagree Disagree Disagree
I work nearby Every Day
Strongly disagree Strongly disagree Strongly disagree
I live nearby 2-3 times a week
I’m visiting from elsewhere in London Weekly
Monthly
I’m visiting from elsewhere in the UK
Bernie Spain Gardens feels too There is too much litter in Bernie
Occasionally I feel safe in Bernie Spain Gardens
I’m visiting from abroad crowded Spain Gardens
Today is my first visit
Other:
Strongly agree Strongly agree Strongly agree
2 | What would you change about Agree Agree Agree

4 | What are your favourite times to use
the Gardens? (Tick any that apply) the Gardens?
Neither agree nor disagree Neither agree nor disagree Neither agree nor disagree
2 | If you are going to Bernie Spain Morning Disagree Disagree Disagree

Gardens today, or thinking about your
most recent visit, are you/ were you: Lunchtime Strongly disagree Strongly disagree Strongly disagree
Afternoon
Just passing through on your way to/
from somewhere else? Evening
Spending time in the Gardens as a 4 | Overall, how would you rate Bernie Spain Gardens?
destination?
5 | How long do you usually stay? Very good Good Neutral Poor Very poor Don’t know / Can’t say
Less than 5 minutes

5 minutes to 1 hour
Over 1 hour
FEATURES IN BERNIE SPAIN GARDENS The River Thames

ABOUT YOU
1 | Thinking about how Bernie Spain Gardens could improve, how Oxo Tower Wharf
important might each of the following be? To help us improve our understanding of who uses the Gardens and where they KWAY
E WAL
come from, please provide your details below. RSID
RIVE
Not Don’t
Very Fairly Not very important know/ Home postcode (if from the UK)
important important important at all Can’t say
Age range
Gardens as natural and
green as possible Under 16 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 STREET
HO U SE
Bernie Spain GE
BAR
A greater variety 65-74 65-74 75+ Prefer not to say Gardens North
of planting
Name
Information about the
plants Organisation (if applicable)
A dog free area Email

Children’s play facilities Gabriel’s
All information you give is confidential and will only be used under strict controls of Wharf
A ball game area the Data Protection Act 1998. By filling in this survey you hereby give permission for
your details to be stored on the Bernie Spain Gardens consultation database and used
An outdoor gym solely in support of this project. D
UN
RO
Outdoor table tennis RG
PE
UP
Please tick here if you would like us to keep you updated about the project*
BROA
Better lighting
DWAL
Food & drink facilities

(e.g. small cafe/ kiosk)
L
Bernie Spain
*Remember to add your Email address Gardens South
More opportunities for
community gardening
DU
Thank you for your input!

C
HY
Anything else?
ST
RE
If you have any further queries, or would like to send this survey back to us,
ET
please use the following contact details.
T | 020 7021 1600

E | A.Fawcett@coinstreet.org
W | coinstreet.org/bernie-spain EE
T
TR
DS
BSG Consultation, c/o Anastasia Fawcett FO
R
AM
Coin Street Community Builders ST
108 Stamford Street, London, SE1 9NH
Online Survey BERNIE SPAIN GARDENS
goo.gl/EYVUZP or coinstreet.org/bernie-spain
SURVEY - October 2016
37
BERNIE SPAIN GARD
HISTORY
The River Thames
Oxo Tower Wharf Coin Street Community Builders (CSCB) is a lo
enterprise that aims to make this neighbourho
Y place to live, work in, and visit.
LKWA
E WA
RSID Thirty years ago the South Bank area was blea
RIVE
unattractive, had few shops and restaurants, h
residential community and a weak local econo
residents mounted an extraordinary campaign
the purchase of 13 acres of derelict land by CS
Today, CSCB manages a thriving mixed use

neighbourhood that includes cooperative hom
STREET
HO U SE galleries, restaurants, cafes and bars; a park a
Bernie Spain GE
Gardens North BAR walkway and sports facilities. CSCB also provi
childcare and family support, training and emp
opportunities and a variety of free and affordab
for the local community.
CSCB established Bernie Spain Gardens in 19

after Bernadette Spain, a local community acti
was part of the campaign in the 1970s.
Bernie Spain Gardens now

Gabriel’s
Wharf
D
UN
Use the green and red stickers to show us what RO
RG
parts of the Gardens you like or dislike. PE
Present
UP
BROA
Leave a comment in your Feedback Form to tell
DWAL
us why... Bernie Spain WHAT WE ARE DOING TODAY
Gardens South
L
We want to gather thoughts and ideas from th
love and use the gardens the most.
Your feedback will help inform a design brief fo
DU
and horticultural specialists. The chosen propo
CH
on the Gardens’ strengths and deliver a quality
YS
Key
that continues to thrive.
TR
EE
Flower Beds As you complete your feedback, there are a nu
T
things we would like you to think about:
Gorgeous Gardens
community • How you currently use the Gardens
vegetable beds
• What are its current character, strengths and
Seating
ET • How the Gardens could be improved
RE
ST • Your opinion on some specific suggestions
Trees and shrubs RD
FO
AM
ST
Do pick up a Feedback Form and let us kn
The survey is also available online via goo.
BERNIE SPAIN GARDENS Public consultation

October 2016
HISTORY LOOKING AFTER THE GARDENS

The River Thames
Oxo Tower Wharf Coin Street Community Builders (CSCB) is a local social The management and maintenance of public areas are
enterprise that aims to make this neighbourhood a great expensive, particularly in such a busy neighbourhood. The
Y place to live, work in, and visit. number of people visiting the area has increased. In 2000,
LKWA
E WA the year in which the London Eye and Tate Modern opened,
RSID Thirty years ago the South Bank area was bleak,
RIVE litter collected from Coin Street Community Builders’ public
unattractive, had few shops and restaurants, had a dying
residential community and a weak local economy. Local areas trebled!
residents mounted an extraordinary campaign leading to
As presently laid out, Bernie Spain Gardens does not match
the purchase of 13 acres of derelict land by CSCB in 1984.
the quality of some of the nearby green spaces (such as
Today, CSCB manages a thriving mixed use Jubilee Gardens), and is not adequately equipped.
neighbourhood that includes cooperative homes; shops,
STREET An upgrade of the Gardens could help with these issues,
HO U SE galleries, restaurants, cafes and bars; a park and riverside
Bernie Spain GE whilst also improving the overall look of the space. It
Gardens North BAR walkway and sports facilities. CSCB also provides
could also bring additional benefits such as expanding the
childcare and family support, training and employment
relationship of the gardens to the surrounding area and
opportunities and a variety of free and affordable activities
support the improved management and maintenance of the
for the local community.
Gardens.
CSCB established Bernie Spain Gardens in 1988, named
after Bernadette Spain, a local community activist who
Your vision for

was part of the campaign in the 1970s.
Gardens now
Gabriel’s
Bernie Spain Gardens

Wharf
D
UN
stickers to show us what RO
RG
ou like or dislike. PE How do you imagine Bernie Spain Gardens in
Future
UP
the future?
BROA
ur Feedback Form to tell

DWAL
Bernie Spain WHAT WE ARE DOING TODAY

What would you add or change to make it
Gardens South better?
L
We want to gather thoughts and ideas from the people who

love and use the gardens the most.
Aspects to think about Write down your big ideas and fill this space!
Your feedback will help inform a design brief for landscape
DU
and horticultural specialists. The chosen proposal will build

CH
on the Gardens’ strengths and deliver a quality green space

YS
Key
that continues to thrive. NATURAL LANDSCAPING &
TR
ACTIVITIES
EE
FEATURES MAINTENANCE
Flower Beds As you complete your feedback, there are a number of
T
things we would like you to think about:

Gorgeous Gardens
community • How you currently use the Gardens
vegetable beds
• What are its current character, strengths and weaknesses
Seating
E T • How the Gardens could be improved FACILITIES COMMUNITY SAFETY
RE
ST • Your opinion on some specific suggestions
Trees and shrubs D
F OR
AM
ST T | 020 7021 1600
Do pick up a Feedback Form and let us know if you have any questions. E | A.Fawcett@coinstreet.org
The survey is also available online via goo.gl/EYVUZP W | coinstreet.org/bernie-spain
38
THIS REPORT HAS BEEN

PRODUCED BY SOUNDINGS
020 7729 1705

mail@soundingsoffice.com
Soundings
148 Curtain Road
London
EC2A 3AT
39

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BERNIE SPAIN GARDENS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY P.03

CHAPTER 01: BACKGROUND P.05

CHAPTER 02: APPROACH P.07

CHAPTER 03: FINDINGS P.09

Users of the Gardens P.09

Feedback: Quality assessment P.11

Feedback: Improvement P.13

Appendix I - User research P.15

Appendix II - Comments P.19

Appendix III - Map based feedback P.31

Appendix IV - Stakeholder discussions P.34

Appendix V - Consultation materials P.37

Introduction Face-to-face interviews with the Soundings team

67 online over 700

Pop-up interactive display boards

Collaborating with CSCB, Soundings designed and

Week of 26 September 2016:

Survey Publicity and online media

Pop-up event participants and facilitator

USERS OF THE GARDENS

LOCAL WORKER LOCAL RESIDENT VISITOR

57% 22% 25% 3%

51% 201 47%

* Percentages total 98% as 3 respondees chose not to answer this question

Pop-up consultation event

FEEDBACK: QUALITY ASSESMENT

Fig 3 | How do you rate Bernie Spain Gardens?

31% 53% 9% 74% 18%

Statement 3 Bernie Spain Gardens is beginning to

12% 30% 26% 23% 7% 7% 25% 51% 9%

37% 50% 11% 26% 45% 10%

Pop-up outside the Coin Street neighbourhood centre

Improvement statements Opportunities for community gardening were the

A greater variety of planting 28% 42% 20% 2% 7%

Better lighting 25% 26% 24% 7% 8% 10%

A dog free area 27% 21% 22% 18% 2.5% 9%

Information about the plants 12% 24% 42% 12% 9%

Children’s play facilities 11% 24% 27% 25% 6% 9%

Food & drink facilities 11% 16% 19% 42% 3% 9%

Outdoor table tennis 9% 17% 31% 34% 3% 6%

An outdoor gym 5% 14% 28% 43% 2% 9%

A ball game area 4% 10% 30% 48% 2% 6%

APPENDIX I: USER RESEARCH

3 41 Home postcode markers (numbers of those in very close proximity)

MORNING LUNCHTIME AFTERNOON EVENING

23% 57% 35% 19%

*Percentages total 134% as 68 of 201 respondees had multiple responses

Fig C | Results: How often do you use the Gardens?

EVERY DAY 17%

2-3 TIMES A WEEK 26%

Fig D | Results: How long do you usually stay?

16.4% Less than 5 minutes

APPENDIX I: USER RESEARCH

How the Gardens are used

Fig E | Profiles: Who uses the Gardens and how

LOCAL WORKER LOCAL RESIDENT

Stay length 5 mins –1 hour Stay length 5 mins –1 hour

Time of day Lunchtime Time of day Afternoon

Spending time Passing through

Visit frequency First time Visit frequency At least weekly

Stay length 5 mins –1 hour Stay length 5 mins –1 hour

Time of day Afternoon Time of day Afternoon