Pocket Parks for Round Hill
From The Round Hill Reporter September 2019.
Pocket parks are springing up worldwide, using small pieces of land to create green public spaces - we’d like to try to create something like this in Round Hill. We’ve identified locations and researched what’s involved to make these mini green spaces. Our councillor Pete West supports us and we’ve had meetings with the council and local community gardeners. We need council permission - by the time you read this we’ll have met with City Parks Head of Operations and may know whether we have a “green light”. Until we get a decision our plans are speculative, but here’s what we’d like to do, with YOUR support and help.
The sites:
Ditchling Road southbound bus stop.
How about a safer space with raised planting and seating to deter pavement parking? We could add in something fun for children – something to play on like mini outdoor gym bars or a curly path? We have many ideas and would welcome more. We’re excited to be meeting the head of B&H Buses in September to discuss having a bee-friendly, green roofed bus shelter.
Junction of Crescent Road and Princes Crescent.
We’ve started an online petition to narrow this junction, making it safer for pedestrians and keeping cars on the correct side of the road when turning into Crescent Road. We could use the extra pavement for small flowerbeds or maybe a tree. Do you agree? If so, sign the petition on Brighton and Hove council’s website by 7 October (search petitions and “narrowing Crescent Road”). There’ll be a paper petition soon. If you disagree, it would be helpful to know your concerns.
Richmond Road/Mayo Road junction.
We could increase the planting here and incorporate seating, a community noticeboard, bug hotel, children’s little library (see the lovely one in Norfolk Square). The list is (almost) endless. If permitted, we’ll apply to charities and organisations for funding for the structures/planting and hold fund-raising events, but we hope our community will join in and offer their skills free to help make this happen.
In the next few months we’ll put up displays to show how these pocket parks could look. We hope you’ll get involved and share your ideas and/or concerns. We’re interested to talk to garden designers; gardeners; carpenters; builders; anyone happy to pitch in and give their time free for the community. Once up and running we’d love to form a volunteer “gardening crew” to regularly maintain our new spaces. Those not so able might come along to sit, watch, chat and encourage! More news to come.....
Dominic Furlong and Jane Power.
See The Round Hill Community Pocket Park
This page was last updated by Ted on 20-Apr-2026