Hammersmith Grove Parklets Reach Finals of Global Good Awards


Community green spaces shortlisted for second major prize

Hammersmith Grove's 'parklets' are once again in the running for a major award.

Last year the parklets - four small plant-filled community spaces - were named Best Project in the Healthy Street Awards for Hammersmith BID, or Business Improvement District.

Now Hammersmith BID has been announced as a finalist in the 2019 Global Good Awards for Community Partnerships (Social and Environmental Sustainability) for the community parklets programme.

The Global Good Awards recognises and rewards change across all aspects of purpose driven sustainability and social impact.

Eight parking spaces have been made into the four vibrant green parklets, which are part of a wider initiative to deliver green spaces, cleaner air, and promote cycling.

This project is a collaboration between Hammersmith BID, Hammersmith and Fulham Council, Medidata and the Mayor of London, and is unique in that local business and BID board member, Medidata, funded the build of one parklet and Hammersmith BID is funding the parklets’ ongoing maintenance in an innovative business model.

Together they bring some calm to this busy road and creating an environment where thousands of locals, business workers and passers-by can enjoy the greenery that the Parklets provide.

The parklets have three metre high pergolas, with built in wifi options and lectric charging points.

Hammersmith BID - a not-for-profit company providing new and expanded services to improve the working and trading environment - says: "The parklets have boosted trade to local businesses such as coffee shops and restaurants by 30%, attracting people to the area and creating a seating and social area for customers of cafes, restaurants and the food market.

"They have also brought to the forefront the question of air quality in the area. Having the green oasis of the parklets visibly contrast with the busy traffic of the street has encouraged businesses to take more ownership in bringing tangible solutions to the issue of air quality."

The Global Good Awards will be presented at a ceremony held at BMA House in Tavistock Square on 19 June. Hammersmith BID - UK's First Business Community Parklets is shortlisted in the
Community Partnership (for Social & Environmental Sustainability) category, along with another London project, Tideway and Thames21 - Thames River Watch and three others, Accionia Energy Mexico - Sustainability Classrooms, Hogan Lovells and Barefoot College - 20,000 Suns and WWF and John West - Coastal East Africa Project.

The green spaces on Hammersmith Grove followed the installation of the borough's first parklet, outside Brackenbury Deli in Brackenbury Village, which won Best Innovation at the Healthy Streets Awards 2017.

 

May 9, 2019