Greenwich Park changes seen as Giant Steps and Grand Ascent near completion
Changes to Greenwich Park including the creation of steps leading down from the General Wolfe statue beside the Royal Observatory now appear close to completion.
Work has been undertaken to create the “Grand Ascent” formed of “Giant Steps” which replaced the previous slope leading down from a viewing spot around the General Wolfe statue.
The project aims to recreate formal landscaping installed in the late 17th century.
A number of trees were removed with others now planted either side at the base of the Grand Ascent.
The Royal Parks state that Turkey oak trees were removed due to severe squirrel damage and were a poor-quality species. They were planted in the 1970s after previous elm trees saw Dutch elm disease.
In addition the Turkey oak are apparently “often infected by Oak Processionary Moth and Knopper Gall wasp” which is damaging to native oak trees.
A small number of beech trees are also being removed.
Of course the main issue is whether kids can still roll down and is it possible to slide down when it snows? I’d say so as no part actually looks completely flat, though you may get a telling off after all the work undertaken.
Giant Steps and Greenwich Park Revealed
The Giant Steps are probably the most noticeable of a number of projects across the site as part of “Greenwich Park Revealed“.
It includes restoring the avenue of trees in front of the Queen’s House, a café, community space and new toilets plus changes to the viewing area beside the General Wolfe statue and Royal Observatory.
Other changes include “a new learning space in The Wilderness to inspire outdoor learning for schools and community groups” while a former tarmac path running in front of the Giant Steps has also been removed.
The entire project is due for completion in 2025.
How tall are the steps? A significant step down may unbalance those with mobility issues.
Always one moaning… there’s more than one foot path to the top and bottom…it’s not a new park its a new feature 🥱
@ Big P: excuse me for thinking of the less able, but you could have just zipped your mouth and kept walking.
Looks like it’s going to be a tremendous rolling and sledging experience as long as they remove the fence at the bottom!
Is a good history Greenwich park. I was. There when I little gil we. Play on the. Hill.
I’ve not yet seen the changes in Greenwich park but it sounds as if it’ll be a great improvement when finished.
Went here all the time with my parents & siblings, we’ve always loved it.
I think in the original plans of hundreds of years ago the hill was going to be a water feature,it realy needed the paving around the statue replaced because none were flat.
The landscape workers who were laying out the terraces told us that the PUBLIC WILL BE EXCLUDED from walking on the grass of the new steps. Is that HRH’s Royal Parks policy?
Possibly until the grass has bedded in.i think it looks awful at the mo.Hopefully some planting and benches will help.I can’t see how the public can be prevented from walking on it tho.Theres always somebody who will regardless