Do you have an idea for a “parklet” in Myatt’s Fields?

Roaside parking spaces in Myatt’s Fields are set to be handed over to residents to be converted into an outdoor community area.

Local neighbourhoods are being asked for their ideas to make streets greener and cleaner as part of Lambeth council’s new ‘parklet’ programme, supported by the Big Shift development fund.

Parklets are car parking bays that are repurposed to become public spaces that can be enjoyed by everyone. Each Ward in the Borough will get one, including Myatt’s Fields.

Residents can submit their designs for their own local community parklet, which they would help to maintain. They could include creating new social spaces with tables and seating, extra cycle storage or new green space. Residents are also being asked to nominate areas where they would like to see a parklet.

Cllr Rezina Chowdhury, cabinet member for Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air, said:

“Parklets are a great way to create spaces where people can meet, socialise, and make neighbourhoods more pleasant by increasing greenery.

“Parklets can play a huge role in bringing people together whether it’s to sit down and have a chat or work together to tend new community gardens.

“We want as many local people as possible to tell us why their areas could benefit from new public space.”

Local councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop said:

“Myatt’s Fields has a rich history of the community driving forward gardening, bio-diversity projects and green space improvements. Across our neighbourhood we have many parks, allotments, planters and gardens that are there because local people care and invest in them – with Myatt’s Fields Park being a particularly shining example.

With residents’ support we have helped to secure funding and support for a number of projects, including for a rewilding project on the Knatchbull Road roundabout, a new sustainable drainage scheme on Myatt’s Fields South and a tree planting programme that is particularly focused on our estates.

“We encourage residents to come forward with ideas and suggestions for the parklet project: in 2021 we successfully lobbied the Council to refurbish the Cowley Road and Vassall Road junction with new cycle paths, green planters and level accessways. This is the kind of seemingly small scale transformation that can make a real difference to the local area. So, please get your ideas in to the Council!”

Find out more about the Community Parklet Scheme and submit your designs before the deadline on May 28.

Myatt’s Fields Park asks for residents’ help in a bid for Lambeth Community Funds

Myatt’s Fields Park is bidding for £75,000 from the Lambeth Community Fund in order to fund its outstanding local community work – and it’s asking residents to support its application.

Talking about its bid, the Myatt’s Fields Park Project, said:

We want to: 

* Empower at least eight people a year to develop and run their own activities in the park. This will include personalised development and mentoring, accredited training, fundraising support and free use of the park’s facilities 
* Support at least five organisations a year to run events and activities in the park 
* Engage local people as community representatives, reaching out into the community, gathering information about community needs 
* Run events and activities for more than 3000 people a year 

This program will prioritise young and older people from the African diaspora and other people of colour as they are currently under-represented as park users. 

MFPP has applied to Lambeth Community Connections Fund for £75k over two years to pay for a new community engagement manager, marketing manager and community engagement costs. To be successful, we have to prove that we have local support. If you would like to see the change above, please do so.

Residents can pledge their support here.

Local councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop are backing the project, and are encouraging residents to do the same.