Watermans Park Renewal

The Challenge 

Watermans Park occupies a site with a layered history — once part of the Brentford Gas Works where coal barges docked along the Thames foreshore, it was later transformed into a public park in the 1970s. By 2020, much of the park’s infrastructure had become outdated, prompting Hounslow Borough Council and the Friends of Watermans Park to seek a comprehensive redesign. 

The central challenge was to create a revitalized and inviting public space that would meet the diverse needs of the local community, while celebrating the site’s distinctive industrial heritage and preserving its open riverside views. 

The Design Solution 

Our design reimagined the park as a dynamic, multifunctional landscape. A series of active spaces were introduced, shaped around the specific requirements of local groups and activities, ensuring flexibility and inclusivity. These new facilities were framed by native, seasonal planting that enriches biodiversity and provides year-round interest. 

To honour the site’s industrial past, original docking features were integrated into the design, establishing a strong sense of identity rooted in place. The result is a resilient, characterful park that supports everyday recreation as well as larger community events, curated by the Friends of Watermans Park. Today, it stands as a welcoming and distinctive green space that reconnects people with both heritage and nature along the Thames.