CGI of South Plaza of Olympic Park. Picture: James Corner Field Operations

London 2012: Plans for South Plaza of Olympic Park unveiled

Sarah Shaffi, Olympics editor (news) Thursday, July 26, 2012
7:11 AM

A fountain “labrinth”, a carousel and a play space are among the plans for the transformation of the South Plaza of the Olympic Park following the Games.

The 28-acre space has been designed by James Corner Field Operations, and is due to open to the public in spring 2014.

The public space could feature a 12-metre wide promenade lined with mature trees, with space for four kiosks, which the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), the body in charge of the Park after the Games, hopes will be run by local businesses.

Plans for the plaza, which is framed by Aquatics Centre, the Olympic Stadium and the ArcelorMittal Orbit, have today been submitted by the LLDC.

James Corner said: “It’s a Park to the extent that it’s green and there’s living things, but it’s designed as a series of active spaces.”

Plans show the promenade opening up to a series of outdoor “rooms”, which are separated by grass of rougly 1.5metres high.

Among the rooms is a classic carousel, a space similar to an amphitheatre and a play space with a climbing wall descending to the canal-side.

If plans are approved people walking across the bridge past the Acquatics Centre will encounter fountains which form a labrinth of sorts.

A hub next to the Orbit will be where people can buy tickets for the attraction, as well as go to a cafe and take advantage of a roof-top pavilion with views of the Park.

Andrew Altman, chief executive of the LLDC, said: “I think fun is the key to this thing. We want people to have fun and enjoy the Park.

“That is the difference between a passive park and an active park, we give you lots of different ways to enjoy it.”

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