As Romford Pocket Parks will be co-designed by the community and we are yet to confirm all sites, we have not yet received all formal approvals. Havering Council have given permission in principle and we expect final approval to be secured during the campaign. No funds will be transferred to the project until this has been verified In our struggle to adjust to this new, unpredictable world we have found joy in the unexpected. For many, nature has become a true salvation, bringing beauty and hope to our day to day lives.  As a community we are now tasked with rebuilding Romford and want to embrace our new connection to nature, bringing people together, to improve our High Street and transform Romford into an urban oasis.  Working with local schools, community groups and businesses, a number of town centre touring Pocket Parks and permanent green interventions will be co-designed by and for the community, making our urban environment more green and welcoming for all.

What we'll deliver:

• We will co-design and co-create 2 mobile pocket parks located in Romford town centre
• We will co-design and co-create up to 10 green installations in Romford town centre
• We will deliver 12 workshop programmes to local schools, community groups and businesses to co-create green spaces
• We will create a green trail around Romford promoting the town’s green spaces
• We will create a green trail around Romford promoting the town’s environmental initiatives
• We will create a green trail around Romford promoting the town’s eco-friendly products and services available
• We will produce a film showcasing the process of the project including the design process, installation and launch event
• We will host a community planting launch to celebrate the new pocket parks and green installations
• We will produce and distribute 10,000 eco-friendly leaflets, promoting the green trail to residents and visitors.
• We will create a website showcasing the project and hosting an online version of the green trail

Why it's a great idea:

Romford Pocket Parks will not only improve our public spaces, bringing colour and vibrancy to the high street, but will also educate our community on greener living and the protection and care for the environment. It will inspire residents to explore Romford in a new way, encouraging physical activity, whilst also shining a light on the town’s green spaces and eco friendly services. The project will provide safe spaces for the community to dwell, creating multi-functional urban oasis’ that can be utilised by everyone; from school children learning about the environment or workers grabbing 5 minutes peace on their lunchbreak to the older generations basking in the sunshine whilst having a breather. Perhaps most importantly, these spaces will spark conversation, restoring community spirit and social interaction in a world where of late, we have felt very alone. Through ownership and co-creation, Romford Pocket Parks will be a lasting legacy of which our community can be proud!

Steps to get it done:

• Confirm locations of touring pocket parks and permanent green installations - already in process
• Obtain letters of support from local community, schools and business community -already in process
• Start documentation (photography and filming) of project
• Prepare co-creation and co-design workshops
• Deliver co-creation and co-design workshops
• Sign off designs and locations for pocket parks and green installations
• Install up to 10 green installations
• Deliver community planting event to herald launch of the project
• Launch the mobile pocket park tour of Romford Town Centre
• Design and print nature trail leaflets (including timetable of where mobile pocket parks can be found)
• Distribute nature trail leaflets with map
• Launch online hosting of nature trail (map, film, photography)

The project will also be accompanied by a green trail, promoting green spaces, environmental initiatives and eco-friendly products and services throughout the town.