Vistry Group, through its Countryside Partnerships brand and L&Q have officially opened Central Park, the newest public green space at its over £1 billion Beam Park regeneration scheme delivering 4,000 homes in Rainham, Essex.

Central Park is a large, 2.5-hectare, riverside park that sits either side of the River Beam and offers a range of play facilities for children and families, designed by Miracle Design and Play. These include: a river-themed play trail, encompassing wooden structures to climb on and rocks to jump on; a swings area; a play area comprising a swing set, jungle gym and climbing structures; and another playground.

Providing open, green spaces and play areas for residents and the wider community at Beam Park has been a priority for Countryside Partnerships and L&Q from the outset of the regeneration. When the Beam Park masterplan is complete, over 58% of the previously inaccessible brownfield site will be open space, and by working to provide valuable habitats for local wildlife a biodiversity net gain of over 350% will result. Furthermore, the recently approved plans for the final phases of the site include a further 2.5-hectare public park on the western side of the development, which includes a green square the size of the London Olympic velodrome.

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Kevin Delve, managing director of Vistry East London, said: "With over half of the 29-hectare site set aside for open space, providing well-designed parks and green spaces is absolutely fundamental to our Beam Park regeneration. As a result, we are delighted to have opened Central Park alongside our partners L&Q, Miracle Design and Play and councillors from Havering and Barking & Dagenham.

"At Vistry we create the place, but the new community make the place and Central Park will help the community achieve this. With multiple play areas and situated in the heart of the development alongside the River Beam, we expect the park will swiftly become a firm favourite of the local community."