London Is Getting Its First Elevated Park This Summer
As the High Line in New York prepares to debut its last phase, London will get the first stretch of its own elevated park — designed by the one of the architecture firms that worked on the High Line, no less. Dubbed the Tide, the public park will run for three miles along the Thames on Greenwich Peninsula — a formerly industrial area — with nearly 30-foot-high walkways surrounded by native trees. The first half-mile stretch will open in July.
Much like the High Line and other elevated parks around the world, the Tide is intended to be a cultural destination that will attract a mix of locals and tourists. In addition to walking and running paths, it will have a community learning garden, a fitness center, audio meditation points along the route, riverside dining destinations and public art by Damian Hirst and British pop artist Allan Jones, among others. It's being designed by acclaimed firm Diller Scofidio + Renfo (who worked on the High Line) in collaboration with Neilheiser Argyros and landscape architects GROSS.MAX.
"The Tide brings to London an unrivaled outdoor experience in the city," Kerri Sibson, Director of Greenwich Peninsula, said in a statement. "This bold 3D landscape opens up the river, brings people together, gives us art to absorb, nature to enjoy and space to escape. Most importantly, it's a place for everyone."
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The Tide is part of a larger plan for a whole new neighborhood being developed in Greenwich Peninsula, an area twice the size of Soho. It will eventually have 15,000 new homes, 13,000 new jobs and seven new neighborhoods, including a Design District slated to debut in 2020.
The first half-mile of the Tides will launch on July 5. Greenwich Peninsula will host the Turning Tides Festival on July 5 - 7 and 12 - 14 to celebrate the park's debut with music, art, film, wellness programming and shoreline feasts. The festival is free to attend.
Featured rendering courtesy of Uniform.