Yasmin Maria KhanPublic Landscapes BSc Landscape Architecture Writtle School of Design

Lee Valley Park Site

Lee Valley Country Park

Lee Valley Country park is situated in the Lee Valley, in the East of England.It touches the counties of Essex, Hertfordshire and Middlesex, following the course of the River Lea. The River and Valley carry both heritage and evironmental significance; the valley has provided the surrounding areas with food and materials for urban expansion for centuries. The Lee Valley Cucumber is sold all over the country,while housing surrounding the valley was built from local stone. Parts of the Lee River Valley also contribute to flood regulation.

http://shimfarm.blogspot.com/2011/07/in-pickled-mess.html http://www.wellsreclamation.com/products/19/reclaimed-clay-bricks-london-stocks

The River Lea and the Thames.

The source of the River Lea is commonly said to be at Wells Head, Leagrave Common.From there the river runs through Luton, through to Hertford Castle Weir, where it becomes a deep canal, flowing on to Ware and all the way to Canning Town. At Leamouth it meets the Thames. This area is known as Bow, after the old three arched bow bridge built there in about 1110. The river forms the boundary between Middlesex and Essex, and Essex and Hertfordshire. In 2012, the park will also become an important part of the London Olympics, providing facilities for major events.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HertfordBasin.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:WardownLake.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bow_Locks3.jpg

Heritage and Ecology and the Lee Valley Marsh Landscape

The site at Waltham Marshes is part of a large, diverse landscape.Immediately to the West are large, urban areas, while to the West is agricultural land on gentle, sloping hills. In between these opposites is an area of both ecological and cultural significanse; the River Lee and the Marshes provide valuable habitat for birds and plants, and the landscape itself has been shaped by mining and landfill. Today the area is managed by the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority. Their aim is to prvide“Access to Nature” for everyone.

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1324663 http://carbon-based-ghg.blogspot.com/2010_10_01_archive.html

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Yasmin Maria KhanPublic Landscapes BSc Landscape Architecture Writtle School of Design

Landfill and habitats

Lee Valley Country Park has been the site of major excavation , producing aggregate products for the construction trade.After the production stopped, the empty pits were filled in, creating new bodies of water as well as valuable habitat land. Seventy Acres Lake is an example of valuable new land; among other plants and animals attracted to the area, is the rare Bitten bird, which has finally been re-introduced into Britain.

Geology

The valley hills to the west are made up of london clay, providing material for bricks, sement and pottery. London Clay is a marine clay, and is a marine geological formation.The valley floor is mainly silt, clay, gravel and sand. The River Lee contributes to the geology of the valley floor, as well as farming on the hills to the west, shedding run off down the sides of the valley and depositing a band of sand and gravel at the valley floor edge.

http://www.bawdsey.ukfossils.co.uk/Bawdsey-Fossils-Geology/geology-guide.htm http://www.flickr.com/photos/bestfor/2596337102/

Lee Valley flood plains

Lee Valley serves as an important eco system service, alleviating flooding from surrounding areas.

https://mightymoriver.crowdmap.com/reports/view/256

Gravel, silt and sand

London clay

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National inventory of woodland

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Yasmin Maria KhanPublic Landscapes BSc Landscape Architecture Writtle School of Design

Vegetation

Lee Valley has many types of vegetation, ranging from woodland and swamps, to arable and agricultural land. However, they have a very limited number of species. One of the species of plants that have been successfully introduced in the area is the Black Poplar.

Facilities and services

Lee Valley gives the public access to nature by footpaths through the site, the opportunity forwildlife observation as well as looking at industrial architecture and heritage. The valley is still an important part of the grid, supplying the surrounding areas with electricity.

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Yasmin Maria KhanPublic Landscapes BSc Landscape Architecture Writtle School of Design

Yasmin Maria KhanPublic Landscapes BSc Landscape Architecture Writtle School of Design