The first aim is to introduce play
Our river has been widened and made shallower with stepping stones added to slow the water. This provides a safe recreational space for children and adults. The pirate ship (or merchant vessel), symbolic for delivering exotic goods to Cheltenham, provides a reward for those making the perilous journey across the rocks. Mock battles ensue as children invade the elder domain in Café cove. The converted, but still functioning, culvert makes an attractive half-pipe for skaters and BMX’s with a bike track situated next door. Decked seating provides a safe-haven for onlookers. Biophillically–filtered water within the natural swimming pool provides a peaceful place for cold-water swimmers. Water originates as run-off from St. James’ Square road, gets filters in a bioswale running parallel, before being re-oxygenated in the fountain before the archways. A small channel leads onto the reeds beds encircling the swimming lake. The water moves through the reed beds before entering the pool. A secondary channel allows excess water to flow through the café area into the Chelt.
The second; a unique retail space
Cheltenham lacks a good market. We have the opportunity, and wealth, to create a new shopping environment. A blend between the traditional royal arcade of Norwich and the open shop fronts in Oxfords’ covered market could provide the perfect haven for declining, but in demand, services. Diets are moving away from processed foods and supermarket bread. Cheltenham has the potential to open up a low-rent, healthy-food arcade featuring butchers, bakers, fruit & vegetable sellers, plant / flower stockists and family-run cafés. Produce is sourced locally from the best farmers in Gloucestershire. No air-miles, all fresh, and all within one convenient and appealing environment a stones-throw away from the centre of town. Small garden supplies and local food shops are certainly needed near the centre of town.
The third aim is safety
All of the buildings have been placed to increase passive surveillance and reduce potentially unsafe spaces. Potential trouble in the skate-park is alleviated by through traffic and overlooking apartments. Tough Phyllostachys nigra has been used to screen off area’s and prevent people walking though. The arcade can be shut off at night, and gates in the northern archways can be used to close off access late at night. Whilst the south remains open shutting the northern entrance prevents potentially loud through-traffic from waking residents. It also creates a move intimate, private space for the local apartments encircling the space. The main apartment block features a raised semi-private terrace with benches and plants. This provides a secluded, yet sociable, neighbourly space for residents to view and experience the park whilst remaining apart, possibly enjoying a BBQ with friends or glass of wine.
Site Area
St. James’ Park is inspired by movement, and the natural meandering of a river. Currently our river lies culverted and unloved in the midst of a poorly formed business estate. We must reconnect with our river if we are to understand the lifeblood of our town.
St James' Park
