Landscape maintenance - Queen Elizabeth Forest Park

Overview

idverde is responsible for landscape maintenance at 100ha Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.

Services

Following a competitive procurement process, idverde was selected as grounds maintenance partner in 2012 in alliance with Balfour Beatty Workplace as facilities management partner. The maintenance contracts span a decade after the Park’s official opening in April 2014, with potential extension to 2029.

in 2012 idverde helped monitor the transformation works and began maintenance as areas were completed. Since then, idverde has remained responsible for the comprehensive management and maintenance of the green, blue and grey estate and day-to-day operational management, including:

• Establishment of the vast array of horticultural features, whilst keeping the park open to the influx of visitors
• Ensuring that the Park meets the dual needs of a local park for local communities and an iconic national and international destination
• Developing the legacy by providing a centre for horticultural excellence
• Monitoring, conservation and enhancement of the biodiversity of the waterways and parklands
• Contributing to and enhancing the wider green infrastructure network across the capital and provide a model for the delivery of ecosystem services
• Ensuring that opportunities are provided for all individuals to benefit through enjoyment, relaxation, employment, activities, sport, learning and training
• Ensuring that the Park is safe and accessible for all

With much of the site still under construction and tight security restrictions in place in 2013 during the first major events, idverde took on extra responsibilities to assist with the events schedule. The horticultural team was on hand to keep the site clean and restore the diverse landscaped areas to a high-quality condition after each event.

The impact of day-to-day visitors – animal as well as human – need to be managed on a daily basis. For example, idverde restored the Tumbling Bay playground areas to pristine condition every morning including the sweeping and topping up of around ½ tonne of sand.

idverde’s waterways team has taken on the role of security, rescue and first aid on the water. The team underwent formal training and now includes two qualified Swift Water Rescue technicians and three ‘First Person on Scene’ qualified first aiders.

In addition to the delivery of grounds maintenance across the Park’s estates, idverde has continued to be involved in the further development of the Park, taking on construction of new zones such as the Orchard Project at Mandeville Place.

Social value

As a contracting partner of the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), idverde has committed to the values and objectives of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. These values have been translated into a number of key themes including sustainability, accessibility, biodiversity, local growth, equality and inclusion.