Queen Elizabeth Memorial Pathway
The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Pathway was opened on 15 March 2024. The pathway has been beautifully designed by East Architecture and permission to name the pathway after the late Queen Elizabeth II was granted by the Cabinet Office.
Situated within the newly created Beckton Meadows the pathway features branches leading out into the surrounding meadows where exploratory routes will be mown through the flowers and grasses in the spring and summer months to create a playful and interactive space. The pathway also includes a play trail with accompanying benches, offering ‘play on the way’ for families walking through the parks.
Creation of Beckton Meadows and the new Queen Elizabeth Memorial Pathway are improvements co-designed with residents who participated in the design of the Beckton Parks Masterplan. The pathway has improved accessibility by formalising a well-trodden route across the park where residents had previously cut through the bushes and over a metal railing to access the DLR station. The park now boasts a new entrance leading on to the new pathway that can be enjoyed by everyone.
The surrounding meadows will be opened in the summer, the new habitat has significantly improved the biodiversity of Beckton Parks and the meadows will include a butterfly garden with educational boards and habitat features.
Over 50 local residents came together to spread the wildflower seeds last Autumn and children from Ellen Wilkinson Primary School’s ‘Eco Warriors’ initiative have participated in workshops with Butterfly Conservation to learn about the importance of the meadows and the butterflies and moths that they will support.
Trees
The late Queen celebrated her platinum jubilee with the Queen’s Green Canopy, a nationwide tree-planting programme. Great care has been taken to line the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Pathway with 30 new trees create a lasting memorial to Queen Elizabeth II in Newham that can be enjoyed by all generations.
The trees selected to line the pathway are as follows:
- 7 Red Oak Trees each commemorating a decade of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign
- 13 Cherry Trees that will display beautiful blossom each spring
- 9 Hawthorn Trees to provide habitat for pollinating wildlife
- A single Dutch Elm Tree marks the end of the route demonstrating resilience and strength
Memorial Plaque
A custom plaque was designed for the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Pathway by local artist Matt Ponting. The trees that line the pathway are represented in the plaque that sits at the entrance of the pathway closest to the DLR station as pictured below:
