The first of hundreds of new trees was planted last week at Springfield University Hospital in Tooting. South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust and its partners are working to create a new ‘Springfield Village’, which will include the development of a new tree-lined public park, mental health facilities and new housing for south west London.
Trust Chief Executive, Vanessa Ford said, “We are thrilled to be working with our partners to develop a new 32-acre park at Springfield. This planting symbolises the very first steps in boosting local biodiversity – over the coming years more than 700 Trees will be planted across the site.
“The park will include a pavilion café, play areas, an amphitheatre, community and sensory gardens, trim trail, ponds, a new footbridge, areas for informal sports and a youth shelter designed by local students.
“From exercising to picnics and spending time with friends and family, we know how important spending time outdoors can be for our mental health and wellbeing, and we are excited to share the benefits this new space will have for people across our communities.”
The park will open in three stages between spring 2023 and summer 2025. Landscaping and drainage works have continued at pace in recent months, with over 100,000 tons of earth moved to date.
Gareth Jones, Sir Robert McAlpine Infrastructure Project Manager, said: “These are the first of over 30 British native species of trees to be planted across the site including birch, alder, oak and beech trees.
“These semi-mature tree specimens to be planted range in height from two meters to seven meters and will be planted during the winter months to ensure they become established in the landscape to provide a great legacy for years to come”.
Alongside the park over 800 new homes are being built for Springfield Village, with the development also providing funding for local transport infrastructure, shops and a café, and land for a new school.
