TCV
Connecting people and green spaces
Crane Park (Ellerman Avenue) - River bank planting
An activity with Richmond Weekday Projects
Activity date: Thursday 12th March 2026
Start time: 10:00
Finish time: 16:00
Activity description
We will spend a day planting a newly cleared river bank, located in Crane Park (in proximity to the Ellerman Ave entrance). We are working in collaboration with the London Borough of Richmond to maintain this blue spaces. The riverbank planting is part of a larger project, along the River Crane, looking to improve the habitat for water voles. We will be planting a variety of species, including structural species and those preferred by water voles as a food source. Water voles were released along the River Crane in 2024, with further releases in the works. We will be wearing chest-high waders for this work, as we need to cross the river. We have a selection available, but most of them are bigger sizes (7 and upwards). So if you have smaller feet, please bring an extra pair of thick socks. Land-lubbing tasks will include litter picking and completing a short riverbank dead hedge.
Meeting place
We meet at the Crane Park entrance located between 35 & 37 Ellerman Avenue at 10am. Walk into the park and look for the TCV van. We will then move further into the park. What3Words for meeting point: ///logs.follow.yarn There is a small amount of free parking available on Ellerman Ave for those wanting to drive.
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Activity location
Crane Park Tower, River Crane Shot Tower 81 Ellerman Ave Twickenham TW2 6AB, TW2 6AB
Site description
Surrounded by the river in Crane Park, at Whitton near Twickenham, the reserve is a mosaic of woodland, scrub, ditches, ponds and reedbed that has grown up since it stopped being used as an industrial area in the mid-20th century. Crane Park Island now provides a home for many important and rare species and is an important place to learn about the River Crane as it flows downstream towards Isleworth. At the entrance to the reserve is the Shot Tower, a Grade II listed building formerly used for lead manufacture. It was restored by the Wildlife Trust in 2004 as a visitor centre, with an exhibition, education rooms and a top floor viewing area. It currently opens to the public every Sunday. Crane Park is a Green Flag award winner for 2025-26.
Contact
Brittany Florence-Bennett
Telephone: 07483050759
Email: B.florencebennett@tcv.org.uk
Website: https://www.tcv.org.uk/london/biodiversity-action-teams/richmond-bat-west
Please bring
- packed lunch
- suitable outdoor clothes
- suitable outdoor footwear
Further info
We provide hot drinks, so please bring your own mug (and spoon). Booking on Eventbrite is required. Please DO NOT attend our sessions if you have tested positive for Covid-19 in the past 5 days.
Site Facilities
- Cafe
- Toilets
- Nearest Toilets - Shot Tower, when open. Otherwise, 15m walk to Mangal Kebab Restaurant (community toilet scheme)