West Gorton Community Park Opens

G&T provided Cost Management services to Manchester City Council on this project alongside BDP (landscape architects) and Arup (civil engineers).

The park has three separate, interconnected spaces which provide innovative nature-based solutions to water management. The space known as the 'woodland area' provides a rain garden and a play area with timber play features. The 'meadow area' has orchard trees, exploration play and picnic tables as well as a swale that is connected via underground drainage to the rain garden. An event space has been created in the 'garden area' which also provides space for the community grow boxes as well as a further interconnected swale.

The park is the final element of the West Gorton regeneration programme which has transformed the neighbourhood providing new housing and community facilities for its residents.

Councillor Angeliki Stogia, Executive Member for the Environment, Planning and Transport said, "The "Sponge Park" will serve as a wonderful model for how green spaces can help us to tackle the effects of climate change. Its intelligent design will reduce the risk of local flooding, as well as helping create a more attractive, healthier environment for West Gorton residents to enjoy."