Mile End Park

The Green Bridge
The Arts Garden
The fountain by the Terrace garden

Architects: Tibbalds TM2

It is sad to see a public space that has had so much invested in it with such high hopes apparently failing. Mile End Park was unfortunately not the picture of a thriving new community space as intended, more a tired looking landscape that has suffered a torrent of neglect. The whole park appeared to be completely undermanaged, with lots of very unattractive scrub littered around. The Terrace garden was hanging on as a semi pleasant space, however the graffittied fountain, which I can't imagine why was painted white in light of the unmistakable brown splurge at the water line really let it down.

I was disappointed by the supposed revolutionary green bridge designed by Piers Gough which to be honest looks like its been decorated with a bit of old drainage pipe. This was also looking neglected and sorry for itself. After crosing the green bridge we were led down to the 'arts garden' which was a picture of absolute decay. To be honest the cold, the rain and the need to beat the rush hour prevented us from exploring the realm of the ecology park, but I would only expect to be left feeling similiarly disappointed. Although I am pleased to have found the Mile End Ecology strategy for 2007/2008 which outlines many aspirations for the future.

I hope that work is still being ploughed into somehow retaining some dignity that this actually well concieved and potentially successful community space deserves. It really would be a great expense otherwise.