London's newest park opens at Beam Park regeneration

On 31 May, L&Q and delivery partners Vistry Group, (through its Countryside Partnerships brand) officially opened Central Park, the newest public green space at their over £1bn Beam Park regeneration scheme delivering 4,000 homes in Rainham.

Councillors from Barking, Dagenham and Havering join L&Q and Countryside to open Central Park

The new park opened to the public with a free event for residents and the local community which included a range of free entertainment including an inflatable helter-skelter, Ferris wheel, games, DJ, face painting and an ice cream van.

Central Park is a large, 2.5-hectare, riverside park that sits on either side of the River Beam and offers a range of play facilities for children and families, designed by Miracle Design and Play.

These include a river-themed play trail, encompassing wooden structures to climb on and rocks to jump on; a swings area; a play area comprising a swing set, jungle gym and climbing structures; and another playground.

Families enjoying the play facilities at Central Park 

Providing open, green spaces and play areas for residents and the wider community at Beam Park has been a priority for Countryside Partnerships and L&Q from the outset of the regeneration.

When the Beam Park masterplan is complete, over 58% of the previously inaccessible brownfield site will be open space, and by working to provide valuable habitats for local wildlife a biodiversity net gain of over 350% will result.

Furthermore, the recently approved plans for the final phases of the site include a further 2.5-hectare public park on the western side of the development, which includes a green square the size of the London Olympic Velodrome.

The new public park at Beam Park

John Lumley, Strategic Sales Director at L&Q, commented:

“Beam Park and especially the newly opened Central Park is the culmination of significant collaboration between L&Q, Countryside Partnerships, the Mayor of London, Barking and Dagenham and Havering Councils

“This is far more than a regeneration scheme, as we are not just in the business of building homes - our mission is to combine our social purpose and commercial drive to create homes and neighbourhoods everyone can be proud of.

"And we certainly hope that Central Park will soon become yet another successful addition to the local community, which they can enjoy and bring to life.”

Kevin Delve, Managing Director of Vistry East London, said:

“With over half of the 29-hectare site set aside for open space, providing well-designed parks and green spaces is absolutely fundamental to our Beam Park regeneration.

"As a result, we are delighted to have opened Central Park alongside our partners L&Q, Miracle Design and Play and councillors from Havering and Barking & Dagenham.

“At Vistry we create the place, but the new community make the place and Central Park will help the community achieve this.

"With multiple play areas and situated in the heart of the development alongside the River Beam, we expect the park will swiftly become a firm favourite of the local community.”

People jumping for joy in Central Park

The opening of Central Park adds to the incredible changes that have already taken place at Beam Park, with the derelict site of a former Ford manufacturing plant transformed into a new and vibrant community.

1,063 homes have now been delivered in the first two phases of Beam Park, along with extensive community facilities including a new nursery, medical centre, retail spaces and primary school (currently under construction).