Juniper Pocket Park sits at the junction of First Avenue and Hoe Street in Walthamstow. Root And Erect were commissioned by the London Borough of Waltham Forest to unlock the potential of this constrained site as an inclusive, safe and welcoming destination, particularly with the arrival of the University of Portsmouth's new campus. The site suffered from localised flooding to neighbouring shops and anti-social behaviour, and its turning head was frequently used by idling vehicles.

Working closely with Civic, Studio Dekka and the council, we developed a scheme that retained all trees on site. Conventional drainage was replaced with rain gardens set along the former drainage line, which intercept, store and treat surface water through planting before it enters the wider drainage network. This targeted sustainable drainage (SuDS) approach reduces flood risk while introducing attractive planting that supports biodiversity and improves environmental quality. Greening across the site was increased by 50%, using a robust, drought and shade tolerant planting palette, with small moments of play woven into the planters.

To declutter the site, all bollards were replaced with carefully oriented and placed boulders and planters. A Traffic Regulation Order changed the turning head from a restricted parking zone to a pedestrian and cycle zone, supported by CCTV to deter illegal parking. Alongside these changes, Studio Dekka's lighting design improves visibility and amenity after dark, giving the space a sense of safety and intimacy so it feels welcoming at all hours.