As part of the Chadwell St Mary Art Trail launching this August, we’re inviting residents to cast their vote on the design of one of the public art pieces.
Residents at Arthur Barnes Court identified Wickham Park as an area that would be a good stop on the route and a place that would benefit from a new artwork. Students at USP College have come up with the following designs and now is your chance to have your say. Please select from the following, the piece you think residents would most enjoy.
When you’ve chosen your top three designs, vote here!
The deadline for voting is noon, 25 June 2026
This proposal features a vibrant, student inspired illustration of a crane in flight towards the sun, designed to revitalise the basketball court area, specifically the hoop backboards.
Currently, the backboards in this space are heavily defaced with graffiti. By installing this uplifting, community-led artwork, we aim to transform a neglected aspect of the wider park into a bright, inspiring space that celebrates local creativity and encourages active use by residents.
Inspired by a student’s vibrant painting of a playful octopus reaching for the cosmos, this proposal transforms a flat artwork into a moving, interactive playground feature. The main octopus body and its starry, deep-space background will be securely mounted to an existing fence or a custom standalone panel. Crucially, the planets drifting around the octopus aren’t static; children and park visitors can physically spin them like gears!
By blending art with physical movement, it adds value to the Wickham Park play space, giving families an interactive, sensory landmark that sparks imagination, curiosity, and hands-on exploration.
This proposal updates the current park welcome sign, which is looking damaged and has been subject to vandalism. This high quality, durable piece encourages shared, positive use of the space and celebrates local wildlife.
The new sign can be fabricated from high-density, rot-resistant hardwood (like Oak or Iroko) for a natural, tactile feel. It features the student’s illustration, rendered as detailed metal plaques with a vibrant, enamelled finish, integrated with the carved timber surface for a premium, anti-vandalism result.
This sculptural proposal is a playful, interactive rubbish bin designed by a student specifically to sit in the play area in Wickham Park. Built to look like a friendly frog, it features a fun, mechanical mouth opening: pulling down on the frog’s tongue to open the bin lid. If selected, the final sculpture will be finished with a realistic, bumpy, reptile-like skin texture.
Litter is an issue in the park, this piece tackles an environmental problem head-on by turning the everyday chore of throwing away rubbish into a fun task, encouraging younger visitors and families to keep Wickham clean and tidy.
This proposal introduces a new seating bench to Wickham Fields, addressing the practical need for more places to rest throughout the park.
The design features a student created mural of two swans coming together, symbolising connection and community. Adding this functional, decorated bench, aims to encourage visitors to pause, connect with one another, and enjoy the space, while adding a unique artistic touch to the park’s landscape.
This design features a vibrant, large-scale panoramic mural intended for the park’s boundary fence. Celebrating the beauty of nature, the centerpiece depicts a tiger resting in a tree, keeping a watchful eye over all who visit.
The panoramic layout wraps around a large section of the fencing, creating an immersive, scenic backdrop that perfectly complements the nearby seating area.
Please note: the location of the mural might be a wall, a fence, the ground under the playground’s swings etc. The locations aren’t fixed and the images are an example at this stage, so please vote on the mural design you like.
This proposal is to brighten the park’s boundaries, with a mural that brings a burst of colour to the park by featuring a large-scale, panoramic floral display.
This student’s design wraps around the fence, providing an immersive and vibrant background for the existing park bench. The mural design focuses on intricate, bold floral patterns designed to turn the space into an inviting sanctuary for all visitors.
Please note: the location of the mural might be a wall, a fence, the ground under the playground’s swings etc. The locations aren’t fixed and the images are an example at this stage, so please vote on the mural design you like.
This proposed mural brings a splash of colour and life to brickwork / surface in the park.
This student’s design highlights the delicate beauty of a hummingbird in flight, on a dark background, surrounded by bold, colourful lilies and a playful butterfly.
The high-contrast, artistic approach creates an immersive, welcoming backdrop that celebrates local nature and adds a touch of magic to the park’s surroundings.
Please note: the location of the mural might be a wall, a fence, the ground under the playground’s swings etc. The locations aren’t fixed and the images are an example at this stage, so please vote on the mural design you like.
This proposed mural offers a beautiful blend of monochrome and vibrant colour.
The student’s artwork presents a contrast between a detailed, black-and-white butterfly wing and a collection of bright, colourful flowers.
Accompanied by the phrase “Silence can bloom,” this mural is designed to provide a peaceful and reflective atmosphere for visitors resting on the nearby park bench.
Please note: the location of the mural might be a wall, a fence, the ground under the playground’s swings etc. The locations aren’t fixed and the images are an example at this stage, so please vote on the mural design you like.
To see the designs in more detail and to get a better sense of their place in the park, please download the PDF here.
