A project to return marshland to its former state is aiming to reconnect the area with its neighbours while reducing the risk of flooding.

Stanmore Marsh, on Marsh Lane, used to be home to countless flora and fauna, and was even known colloquially as Toad Pond.

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However the area dried up, becoming neglected and misused. The beneficial effects of it as a “green sponge” also decreased, increasing the likelihood of flooding in the locality.

Now though it is undergoing a major regeneration scheme funded by Section 106 payments from a nearby housing development combined with a Greater London Assembly grant from the Mayor of London’s Big Green Fund.

Charity Thames 21, which is helping to coordinate the project, helps clean up the capital’s rivers and canals, as well as working on river enhancements and restorations.

“People voted for the project they wanted to fund and they said they wanted a more usable space. Before now it was just used as a cut-through,” said Stanmore Marsh project manager Vicky Dsouza.

It is hoped that the project will be completed by summer 2017. The opening will be marked by a big community event, and residents are strongly encouraged to get involved on all fronts, from planting seeds to maintaining the area once it is opened to the public.

“The community will have the opportunity to shape it. It is a blank canvas but it needs to be planted quite naturally,” she added.

One section of the marshland will be left relatively wild with a flat area of grass left for people to have picnics on. Across the road, the other area will have benches and a winterbourne pond, and already boasts a new play area for children.

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A guided walk will take place on September 18 between 2pm and 3pm where participants will have the chance to learn more about new features at the marsh and discover how to get involved in further volunteering opportunities.

Queensbury Park, just five minutes away from Stanmore Marsh, acts as an example of how the finished article could look.

The area is now almost unrecognisable from its former guise, with a man-made reservoir acting as the centrepiece, and a menagerie of wild animals including frogs, dragonflies and even a grey heron enjoying the environment.

The river itself was drawn away from the boundary of the park as part of the regeneration, and brought in to become a feature in itself.

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“This was one of the worst parks in the borough for anti-social behaviour. The park seems much better now,” said Harrow Council’s Michael Bradshaw.

“We have seen this area flood completely, in June it flooded twice. Houses around here are vulnerable to flooding.

“The landscape will change when it rains. It is not the solution to flooding in the area but it will help it.”

Vicky added: “It used to be a marshland and now we are bringing it back.

“It has been a success. We have got the schools involved and a ‘friends of’ group set up.

“The ‘friends of’ groups are really important to the success of these projects. They come here regularly, and patrol the park, talking to people and picking up any litter they see.”

On September 10 a litter pick and picnic, organised by Thames 21, will let people take a hands-on approach to park management before receiving a tasty reward.