Crabtree Fields

DSDHA was commissioned by the London Borough of Camden to sensitively revitalise Crabtree Fields, a beloved pocket park in the heart of Fitzrovia, with a powerful story of community action. Originally a site of typical London terrace homes destroyed during World War II, the area became a car park in the 1950s before campaigning by the Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Association convinced the Greater London Council to transform it into public green space in the 1980s. The resulting design by GLC landscape architect Gill Wynne-Williams cleverly used planting and level changes to create a series of distinct outdoor ‘rooms’. After decades of use, the park required restoration and repair. DSDHA’s approach balanced respect for this heritage with a focus on making the space safer and more welcoming for all users. Key to the design process was a walk-through with women, girls, and non-binary people, whose insights directly informed the interventions. The team reinstated the original layout whilst reconceiving the children’s play area and restoring the pergola to ensure the park’s historic character remained intact.

Enhanced sightlines throughout the park improve safety and accessibility, whilst a new planting plan increases biodiversity and ecological value. These interventions work together to ensure the park’s future as an inclusive asset that serves the diverse needs of Fitzrovia’s community.