9th March - Southgate Launches Event
The Southgate Launches event was held on the 9th of March with approximately 80 people attending throughout the day at 3 different locations. The event was an opportunity to celebrate the newly completed projects and present the other interventions that the Council will be delivering in Southgate throughout 2024, as well as hear from local people about what they would like to see in the future for Southgate to inform a longer-term vision for the Town Centre. The event was delivered in partnership with Festival of Industry, Southgate Library, Ashfield Parade businesses, ECYPS, Doodle Design, Southgate District Civic Voice and Southgate Club.
The following two projects were launched as part of the event.
Southgate Library Temporary Artwork
A colourful temporary public artwork in the windows of Southgate Library, celebrating Southgate’s horticultural heritage created by local artist Dan Maier for the Festival of Industry programme. Local residents were involved in workshops at the library to learn more about the inspiration behind the artwork and to share their ideas
Ashfield Parade Parklets
Two parklets have been installed in Ashfield Parade, with the aim of Introducing greenery and public seating to improve the quality of the public realm along a key route into Southgate Town Centre. Local young people have developed ideas for the decoration of the parklets during a workshop which took place at Alan Pulinger Youth Centre in February as part of ECYPS TeenScheeme programme. During the launch event the participants to the workshop presented their design and were awarded AQA certificates.
Following the launch events a community engagement session on of future projects in Southgate Town Centre took place at the Southgate Club. This included:
Presentation of the Guidance for planning outdoor community events
This document has been published to provide support to any community groups which don’t have any previous experience in organising small events. The Guidance empowers residents and community groups to take positive action in their neighbourhoods, building social capital and networks which help make the borough better for everyone.
A printable version of the guidance can be found here: Guidance for Planning Outdoor Community Events
Presentation of upcoming projects to be delivered in Southgate in 2024
These include:
- The enhancement of the Pocket Park, improving planting and public realm to create a space where people can gather and spend time together
- The introduction of rain gardens along Chase Side to mitigate the impact of surface water runoff and bring nature into a very congested area
- Portrait of Southgate: a new arts trail featuring a series of mosaics celebrating Southgate’s art deco architecture and local heroes.
Engagement on Southgate longer-term vision
Council officers heard from the local community and stakeholders about concerns and opportunities in the Town Centre
Thank you to all those who attended.
