British Recycled Plastic partnered with Harrogate Spring Flower Show as Material Innovation Partner for Common Ground, an APL feature garden built by J Paxman Landscapes. The garden showcases how modular recycled plastic parklets can create durable, flexible seating and planter spaces designed around community connection. After the show, Common Ground will be relocated to Project Colt in Elland, where it will continue as a permanent community garden.
Table of Contents
- British Recycled Plastic partnered on Common Ground, a feature garden at the Harrogate Spring Flower Show.
- The garden uses modular recycled plastic parklets as long-lasting seating and planters.
- It was designed by J Paxman Landscapes around themes of community, sustainability, and connection.
- Artwork by Serena Rogers and local residents adds a strong community element.
- After the show, the garden will be relocated to Project Colt in Elland as a permanent shared space.
This April, British Recycled Plastic will be attending the Harrogate Spring Flower Show 2026 as Material Innovation Partner for Common Ground, one of this year’s inspiring APL Feature Gardens.
Built by J Paxman Landscapes, last year’s Premier Gold winner, the garden showcases how our recycled plastic Parklets can create long-lasting modular planter seating for both rural and urban spaces, designed around connection and community.
Common Ground will be on display throughout the Harrogate Spring Flower Show on 23rd-26th April. After the event, it will be relocated to Project Colt in Elland, where it will continue its life as a permanent and valuable community space.
We will provide an update to this story in early June when the Garden moves from Harrogate Flower Show to Project Colt – Watch this space!
Why J Paxman Chose British Recycled Plastic
For us, one of the most exciting parts of this collaboration is that it has grown from an existing trusted relationship.
J Paxman Landscapes had already used some of our recycled plastic furniture for a local club project in Huddersfield, where they installed four Denholme picnic tables and a Skipton bench.
Happy with the results, their feedback says it all:
“They’re the best recycled plastic furniture I’ve come across, solid, well made, and they look great in the beer garden. Delivery was quick and the team was really helpful. We’ve had nothing but good feedback from our regulars.” – Justin Paxman
Having trust in the quality, durability and finish of our products made our Parklet system the natural choice for Common Ground. With sustainability being a key driver, this long-lasting, scaled-down garden required seating and planter structure that was long life, strong, adaptable, and ready for the Show and its life beyond – which British Recycled Plastic happily delivered.
A First Look at the Design for Common Ground
We’re thrilled to be able to share an exclusive sneak peek at Common Ground before the Show opens on the 23rd April.
The design for Common Ground is focused around sustainability and community and includes several key components:
- Greenery – With plants and nurseries mindfully chosen by FDA Landscapes and grown by the Common Ground team and friends
- Our Parklets – Long lasting, weather-resistant, and fully modular seating and planters that can be arranged to suit the space’s needs
- Artwork – Provided by award-winning contemporary artist Serena Rogers with the help of the local Elland community and audiences at the Flower Show
- Quality, durable build – Achieved through the hard work of J Paxman Landscapes
Each team has had its own part to play in creating this outdoor shared space that will help foster connection, relaxation, and community.
Designed as a single enclosed garden room, Common Ground is centred around shared activity. Modular planters of varying heights shape the space and create opportunities for communal growing, while integrated seating around a central fire bowl invites visitors to pause, converse, and reflect.
By using our recycled plastic Parklets, Common Ground can easily be dismantled, transported, and rebuilt at Project Colt, found in Bridgefield Mills, Elland, which will be its final home for residents and visitors to enjoy.
A highlight from the design stage was utilising our mini Parklet models, which were the perfect way to bring initial ideas to life. We had lots of fun envisioning the final result as we helped J Paxman Landscapes to create the perfect community garden, ensuring the space was optimised for its purpose.
Community Artwork – the Heart of Common Ground
A key player in this project was Serena Rogers, an award-winning contemporary mixed-media artist from Yorkshire, whose art is often used to express and explore themes of inequality, loss, and our relationship with the environment.
Serena helped to create a mural for Common Ground centred around the theme of togetherness, inspired by the enduring determination witnessed while working with members of Project Colt:
“The vegetation surrounding the mill doesn’t wait for permission to grow; it finds and makes its own way through. Our members at Project Colt are doing the same.” – Serena Rogers
As well as a beautiful mural portraying “TOGETHER”, local children and community members have also painted stones that will be embedded in the walls of the garden, resulting in a unique mural that highlights their creativity and enduring spirit.
This approach was perfect for Common Ground’s purpose, as well as Project Colt’s mission to foster a collaborative community and support local people through recovery.
Through the combined efforts of J Paxman Landscape, FDA Landscape, our recycled plastic Parklets, and everyone who has contributed to the project, we’ve created a one-of-a-kind community garden that will last for years to come.
Come and See Us at Harrogate
We’ll be attending the Harrogate Spring Flower Show from 23rd–26th April, and we’d love to see you there.
If you’re visiting the Harrogate Spring Flower Show, make sure to stop by and experience Common Ground for yourself. You can even be a part of it by contributing to the mural wall with your own hand-painted pebble, which will live on for years to come as part of the community garden.
Common Ground is more than a feature garden – it’s a space built to inspire and provide connection, creativity and community, and we’re incredibly proud to be part of it.
If you’ve been considering how our modular recycled plastic Parklets could transform a pub garden, high street, or hospitality space, this is the perfect chance to see what’s possible in a real design setting.
Come and have a chat with us on the stand about how Parklets can work for your space. Or download our leaflet to learn more about the process for creating Common Ground.
Watch this space or our socials for an update once Common Ground has made its final journey over to Project Colt.
Once the Harrogate Spring Flower Show is over, you’ll be able to see:
- final judging and show photos
- visitor reactions
- the completed garden in full
- the relocation to Project Colt
- the next chapter of Common Ground
We can’t wait to share the next steps!
For more information on modular Parklets and garden inspiration, check out our Parklets page or the video above.
Or contact us on:
Email: info@britishrecycledplastic.co.uk
Phone: 01422 419 555
Written by Molly Barrett
Updated May 2026
Yes, our modular parklets have been successfully implemented in various urban projects, such as the Stockwood Pocket Park in Bristol. This initiative revitalised a high street area, creating a vibrant community space that underscores the effectiveness of our parklets in urban renewal.
Check out our video about the project here:
By transforming grey city areas into green oases, British Recycled Plastic modular parklets provide spaces that promote mental wellness and community engagement. They offer residents a place to connect with nature, relax, and interact with one another, fostering a sense of community and well-being
Absolutely. The modular nature of our parklets simplifies installation, and the use of recycled plastic ensures they are maintenance-free. Unlike traditional materials, they do not rot, split, or require regular upkeep, making them a cost-effective solution for urban spaces.
Yes, our modular design allows for flexibility in configuration and size, enabling adaptation to various urban settings. Components such as seating, planters, and decking can be arranged to meet specific community needs and spatial constraints.
To learn more, call us at 01422 419 555.
By incorporating recycled materials, our parklets reduce environmental impact and promote eco-conscious living. They create green, immersive spaces that enhance biodiversity, improve air quality, and provide residents with areas for relaxation and social interaction
A British Recycled Plastic modular parklet is a versatile, prefabricated structure designed to transform urban spaces into accessible green areas. Constructed from durable materials, these parklets can be customised to fit various locations, providing seating, planters, and other amenities to enhance community engagement and environmental quality.
British Recycled Plastic Parkets, made from 100% recycled materials, are durable, weatherproof, and low-maintenance. To learn more, call us on 01422 419 555
