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Do London Differently by London National Park City
Do London Differently is a podcast series hosted by London National Park City Ranger Emily Langston and produced by Michael Shilling.
Have have relaunched in 2025 with a new format - sharing how Londoners are making the city Greener, Healthier and Wilder.
Do London Differently by London National Park City
Green Streets: How a Croydon Community Transformed Their Neighbourhood
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When Andrea Perry first looked at the neglected green patch near her home in Addiscombe, Croydon, it was a no-go zone nicknamed “Dog Poo Park” — littered with syringes, broken glass, and rubbish. Few dared to step inside.
Fast forward a few years, and the same space is now Dartnell Park — alive with fruit trees, wildflowers, colourful benches, and even a wiggly path for children and dogs. It’s all thanks to Andrea and a group of neighbours who went on to create Croydon’s first official Green Street on Laurier Road.
In this episode, we explore:
🌱 The seed of an idea – How Andrea’s community greening journey began with 12 neighbours in a rainy church hall.
🌸 What makes a Green Street – From pollinator planting in tree pits to negotiating with the council to stop glyphosate spraying.
🤝 Building community through gardening – How monthly working parties (fuelled by coffee and cake!) brought people together and reduced fly-tipping.
🐝 Why glyphosate matters – The case against harmful weedkillers and Croydon Climate Action’s push for spray-free streets.
💡 Practical tips – How you can start your own Green Street, from winning neighbour support to choosing safe, pollinator-friendly plants.
🌍 The bigger vision – Connecting streets into biodiversity corridors that link parks, schools, and neighbourhoods across London.
Andrea’s story is proof that persistence, planting, and people-power can turn bleak spaces into thriving ones. As she says:
“Gardening and sweeping are exercise outdoors. Do it with other people and you’re ticking every wellbeing box possible — plus you’re building a sense of belonging.”
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