Claremont Park at Brent Cross Town, London Borough of Barnet for Related Argent and Barnet Council with Root and Erect

Claremont Park at Brent Cross Town, London Borough of Barnet for Related Argent and Barnet Council with Root and Erect

 

 Spanning 180 acres, Brent Cross Town is one of Europe’s largest urban regeneration projects. Over the next 20 years, this former industrial site will deliver over 6,700 new homes, 3 million sq. ft. of office space, three revitalised schools, a new high street with restaurants and shops - and at its heart, more than 50 acres dedicated to green parks and playing fields.

 

 

Describe the context of this project and its neighbourhood and people. 

 

Claremont Park was the first landmark to be delivered in the Brent Cross Town masterplan and serves as a clear example of what can be achieved when vision and ambition are paired with a strong sense of community.
 As the first of seven new parks, Claremont Park is part of an £8bn regeneration project that aims to improve urban living by focusing on its people and nature.
  
The 4.5-acre Claremont Park, which opened in June 2022, didn’t just promise a better public realm; it delivered it. Completing a full two years ahead of the first buildings, the park fostered early connections among residents old and new and ignited a sense of belonging and excitement for what is to come. The park also reflects our sustainability ambitions, championing biodiversity and enhancing wellbeing. Over 300 trees have been planted, boosting canopy cover and safeguarding residents against the urban heat island effect. Visitors are greeted by a stunning mosaic of wildlife-rich meadows, colourful species-rich lawns, native aquatic planting, shade-loving woodland greenery, and beautifully crafted native hedges - each detail designed to inspire curiosity and a deeper connection to nature.

 

Tell us what you did and how it created a child-friendly place. For example, how does it support the rights of the child to rest, relax, play and to take part in cultural and creative activities in a safe and clean environment?

 

Central to the park is the Water Meadows Playground, designed by Erect Architecture. Inspired by the dynamic energy of the River Brent, this play space features adventurous climbing structures, interactive water features, and landscapes that invite children into creative, hands-on play.
 
The use of timber, sand, and water channels supports physical activity, sensory stimulation, social interaction, and the development of self-confidence. The playground’s design ensures inclusivity and safety with soft, rubberised surfaces, clear sightlines, wheelchair-accessible swings, and sensory panels. Wide, gently sloping paths also makes areas accessible for prams/wheelchairs. For more active pursuits, the Pocket Sports Zone offers facilities for basketball, skateboarding, and scootering, while walking and cycling routes seamlessly connect the park to the broader neighbourhood. This network of paths encourages exploration and new connections for all visitors. Claremont Park also caters to tranquillity and relaxation. Shaded seating, picnic lawns, and peaceful gardens provide families with spaces to pause and reconnect. The thoughtful integration of trees, wildflower meadows, and water elements, including a natural pond, enhances the park’s beauty while nurturing children’s well-being, reducing stress, and fostering a lasting connection with nature. Play types were assessed and the value offered by each piece of equipment, ensuring a diverse and robust play experience that caters to a wide range of ages, abilities, and interests. The layout of the playground was carefully planned so that the risk profiles of certain play elements overlap, allowing adventurous children within specific age groups to confidently explore more challenging equipment as their skills develop.

 

How did the project make a positive social and environmental contribution in the context of child health childhood and wellbeing? If this was a temporary intervention, is there a legacy plan? 

 

Claremont Park has transformed into the beating heart of Brent Cross Town. Our dedicated Events Team has engaged the community with a year-round activity programme, ensuring something new and inspiring for children and families.
 
The 2025 events calendar reached new heights, breaking boundaries with its ambition and diversity. Our month-long ‘Spring in the Park’ festival burst into bloom with free workshops and activities, drawing over 500 local children into a programme of creativity, adventure, and wellbeing. From arts and crafts to pickleball, nature trails to skateboarding, the park buzzed with excitement, proving that fun and learning truly go hand in hand.
 
Summer brought the ‘School’s Summer Festival’, celebrating seventy years of a beloved local primary school and uniting over 3,000 people in song and dance. ‘Summer in the Park’ followed, offering a vibrant tapestry of events - from a ‘Kiddies Carnival & Family Picnic’, championing Caribbean carnival culture through play and rhythm, to inclusive clubs and workshops for every interest, all delivered by passionate local partners.
 
Autumn’s Halloween Trail and the Christmas lights switch-on have become centrepieces of the community calendar. In terms of the environment the planting of 300 new trees, including an orchard, wildflower meadows, and a pond has created a haven for wildlife and a living classroom for young explorers. Swales and water features spark curiosity, while every corner of the park invites discovery and play.
Claremont Park is more than a park—it’s a vibrant, safe sanctuary where children’s confidence, and connection to nature can flourish.