Riverdown Park
Wayfinding Trail

Barratt Homes’ Riverdown Park development provided 500 new homes for the village of Laverstock, on the outskirts of Salisbury in Wiltshire. Only around a quarter of the site was developed for housing with the rest being donated to enable the creation of the new Castle Hill Country Park.

Artist Kerry Lemon was appointed to the commission, and following an intensive period of place-specific local research, Kerry found inspiration in two themes: the flora and fauna found in the local country park and Laverstock’s history as an important centre for medieval tile making.

The commission incorporated a strong element of community engagement.  Kerry worked closely with the local Greentrees Primary School, which allowed her to connect with younger residents in the area.  Kerry arranged for the children to participate in workshops with Wessex Archaeology and Jennie Webber of Wildlife Drawing.  The outcome of these sessions was a series of silhouette drawings, which reflected the type of artwork found on medieval tiles.  These drawings were brought to the children’s second creative workshop with Samesky, where they were incorporated into individual handmade lanterns.  The creative workshops culminated in an evening lantern parade to celebrate the spring equinox.

The community engagement informed the interactive tiled posts and pavers that Kerry went to produce  They provide a nod to the heritage of the tile-making industry in Salisbury whilst doubling as a trail that denotes the flora and fauna of the area.  Their textural qualities mean that they can also be used to create rubbings.

The heritage wayfinding trail that Kerry created has enhanced the public spaces in and around Riverdown Park by promoting the outdoor environment and encouraging increased community usage of these public spaces.

Kerry Lemon is an artist creating work in widely diverse contexts and materials including international print, architecture and public art.

The commission was the result of a Section 106 public art contribution for the Riverdown Park development from BDW Southern Counties (Barratt Homes). The development and delivery of this commission was overseen by a public art steering group made up of representatives from BDW Southern Counties, Laverstock and Ford Parish Council and Wiltshire Council Arts Service. 

Images courtesy of Barbara Leatham Photography.