Pupils from St Jude & St Paul’s CoE Primary School assisted in the opening of the new park, opposite the school in Kingsbury Road on March 28.
St Jude’s Street Garden was revamped as part of a £500,000 project by Islington Council and Breeze Landscape architects.
Improvements include new playground facilities with timber play, swings, and slides with grass mounds.
There is also a new footpath, a community garden to provide outdoor learning for local schools and food growing space for local residents.
Included were areas of wildflower meadow and seasonal bulb planting.
St Jude & St Paul’s Primary School pupils were involved in the design of St Jude’s Street Garden opposite their school, which is earmarked for closure by Islington Council (Image: Andri Andreou)
One Year 5 pupil at St Jude’s said: “I hope new childhood memories for other children are made in this park as I have many from this park from when I was younger.”
St Jude’s parent Andri Andreou, who attended the park opening, said pupils had been “part of the whole design”.
She added: “The school has invested interest in the project, and the idea was always that the children would assist in the upkeep and care of the park, allowing them to have an additional outside area to access but also enrich their knowledge of the environment and nature.”
SJSP has been earmarked for closure by Islington Council, along with Highbury Quadrant Primary School, due to falling pupil numbers.
At a meeting in February, Cllr Michelline Safi-Ngongo, who is responsible for children, young people & families, said no decision on the proposed closure had been made.
However she carried the informal consultation to a formal consultation, with a final decision due this month.
Andri added: “The whole project highlights the extent of how involved our children are not just in the school but the community.
“The fact our children were involved in the design of a park which is tucked away leaves a question how much use will be made of this £500k park if our school closes?”
Cllr Rowena Champion, executive member for environment, air quality and transport, said: “These improvements were undertaken following consultation with and feedback from the community including local schools.
“The improvement works are now finished and the park is open for local people to enjoy, and we look forward to events and activities in this space over the coming months.”
