There are several community parks on the edges of Kensington, most provided by council action, and some privately maintained. We’re in Grenfell’s shadow and we finish at a community Art Fair.

Sunday 10th November 2024, 1pm

Exit of Norland Open Space, with Grenfell Tower beyond

It’s Autumn, but with global warming, the leaves are still there.

We checked out a bunch of little parks and teeny green spaces, like Norland Road Community Kitchen Garden, Norland Open Space, Avondale Park which has a grass-free lawn, Lancaster Green next to Grenfell Tower, Maxilla Gardens which is being renovated, Kensington Memorial Park, Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park, Meanwhile Gardens and opposite: Gerry’s Pompeii, then Westbourne Green.

The walk finished at the Elevate Art Fair at Grand Junction Arts Centre where we met some artists from the local community and beyond.

Meeting place: Shepherd’s Bush station, meet by the buses
Arrive by tube: Overground or Central lines (Hammersmith and City line is not too far – Wood Lane)
Date & time: Sunday November 10th 2024, 1 pm
Distance: 3 miles
End point: Elevate Art Fair (then Paddington station)
Map: Komoot map click to view
Contact: email tim.ingram-smith@outlook.com  mobile: 077932 00932
Cost: £8 per adult walker PAY HERE https://paypal.me/parktopark

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Gallery

Norland Open Space

Norland Open Space planting

Avondale children’s playpark

Avondale Park has the best bug hotel in the borough!

In 2017 there was a terrible fire. The Guardian gave an insight into the lives of some of the people who lived nearby in this video.

Some of the people affected have been involved in improving the local gardens, in part as a means of healing.

A new helix is being built in Maxilla Gardens beneath the flyover.

Here’s the plan for the Maxilla makeover by Cameron Gardens.

The project is overseen by Grow to Know, check Westway.org/MaxillaGardens, and click here for a better version of the plan

The sunken garden, Emslie Horniman Pleasance Park, North Kensington

Dense ground cover and cherry blossoms of Meanwhile Gardens in spring

Great video of the history of Meanwhile Gardens by Steve Shaw from 1981.

Metronomes steel band, young people in rehearsal, led by Eversley ‘Breeze’ Mills

And this video featuring Tayshan Hayden Smith who talks about the park with Chadrika Dalpat, and compost with Hermione.

Meanwhile Gardens is next to the Grand Union Canal

Trellic Tower through the trees

Meanwhile Moroccan garden with water fountain, mosaic paving, pots, built by or for the women’s community group Al Hasaniya

Gerry’s Pompeii, opp. Meanwhile Gardens on Grand Union Canal

Narrowboat on the Grand Union Canal, with St Mary Magdalene’s church – and arts centre – behind

Little Venice basin, October 2024, willow salix babylonica framed with red oak quercus rubra

Map

Map: Komoot– click to view

This Walk

Sunday 10th November 2024 – Community special – North Kensington to Union Canal

Walks Coming Up

Sunday 12th January 2025 Winter walk to City Airport and Thames Barrier Park

Sunday 9th February 2025 Bloomsbury to Barbican with artist Emma Douglas

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Previous Walks

Sunday 13th October 2024 Greenwich to Charlton

Sunday 8th September 2024 Ealing Park trail

Sunday 11th August 2024 Tooting Common to Norbury Park