London Riverside Business Improvement District (BID) has earned its first gold award from the London in Bloom campaign for its environmental work in Rainham’s employment zone.
Olga Astaniotis, project lead, said: “The meadow is what is known as an open mosaic habitat (OMH) and as such provides vital environmental benefits by supporting a high concentration and diversity of wildlife, improving soil and water quality, and storing carbon.
“It’s a beautifully peaceful spot, with the bonus of views over the Thames.
“Now the local workforce has somewhere to enjoy a break in what is a remote corner of Rainham with no shops or amenities, and we have shown what can be achieved in even the most unlikely of spaces.”
The judge visited the Rainham Riverside area in July and praised improvements to the meadow, including two new public spaces.
The Museum of Garden Escapes is a community garden and seating area designed to reflect the outline of the historic Three Crowns Inn.
A covered seating area further south offers an all-weather spot to enjoy views of the Thames.
Both amenities guide visitors along set paths to protect surrounding wildlife.
