The Queens Quay area of Derrys Riverfront has seen a great transformation over the past 12 months....with the help of some £400k its been transformed in to a fantastic area. And provided a wonderful setting for the Derry-Londonderry Clipper arrival. With the help of acclaimed photographer Marie Moore McGrellis here's a flavour of what the area lookslike...post Clipper.
The Riverfront has been paved superbly, the paving from Tobermore Concrete is superb, and the patterns bring a nice sweep to the riverfront, and it doesn't in no way look like a 'Concrete pavement'....the big planter boxes which are permanenet are big chunky and in scale with the size of the area, in the one pictured here there is some feature with the pyramid Boxwood with a mass underplanting of golden euonymus. There is a strong repetition of planting theme along the riverfront, with mass planting (makes for lower maintenance) being the order of the day
The Riverfront has been paved superbly, the paving from Tobermore Concrete is superb, and the patterns bring a nice sweep to the riverfront, and it doesn't in no way look like a 'Concrete pavement'....the big planter boxes which are permanenet are big chunky and in scale with the size of the area, in the one pictured here there is some feature with the pyramid Boxwood with a mass underplanting of golden euonymus. There is a strong repetition of planting theme along the riverfront, with mass planting (makes for lower maintenance) being the order of the day
Here you can see the sweeping patterns made with the two-tone paving and the big chunky Bollards....both for decoration and for seating. Also there is a number of areas for parking bikes at...a novel idea...but will it encourage more cyclists?
and who'd forget about the Quayside Balls....I love these...i've always loved the smaller terrecotta pots you get for your garden....and I love these more! They're big, bright bold and great fun looking....Far better than some big concrete posts to prohibit parking! The repetition of planting bring the entire Quayside together and in these containers the golden evergreen has been replaced by Dianthus but the pyramid boxwood remains
For the clipper the riverfront was awash with colour, and I'd say that the Parks and Cemetery Department of Derry City Council will keep it looking great, last summer the area around the Peace Bridge was wonderfully planted with wall baskets everywhere and I'd say the entire Quayside will be kept heavily planted for years to come. The Council won a Gold Medal in Britain in Bloom last year for best small city and it was largely due to the work the council did on concrentrating colour along the main approach roads and high profile areas in the town.
The big wall baskets used are special self-watering containers, these have an in-built reservoir, this allows the Derry City Council staff to water them heavily, the reservoir then holds a back-up supply of water so as the compost dries out it sucks up the water, this lowers the maintenance cost and gives for better displays of flowers as the tubs never go dry....(well thats the plan!)
What do you think of all the flags?
and lets not forget whats coming up in 2013....
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