Ridgefield Road is to become Oxford’s very own 'Jubilee Avenue', in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum jubilee.
Oxford City Council will be planting at least five new trees along Ridgefield Road in East Oxford, which has been identified as location for a ‘Jubilee Avenue’ as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC).
Public photo opportunity Thursday 2 June 2022
This weekend, to mark the jubilee celebrations, the council has organised a chalk artists to create a royal tree themed artwork on Ridgefield Road, and Oxford residents are invited to join a photo opportunity with the artwork at 5.30pm on Thursday 2 June at the Regal Community Centre playground.
About the Jubilee Avenue
The Queen’s Green Canopy is a national project, which aims to encourage everyone including individuals, community groups, organisations, schools and businesses to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”. Earlier this year, Oxford’s civic leaders planted a tree at Bernwood Road, Barton, as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy.
In response to the climate emergency, Oxford City Council has planted over 10,000 new trees in its green spaces in recent years. Now, it is looking at increasing the number of street trees in the city, as well as planting on private land, and in residential gardens.
Street trees are particularly important because they reduce pollution in urban areas where it has the greatest impact on health, and they can create beautiful environments that produce a sense of place and wellbeing.
Ridgefield Road was identified as it currently has very few street trees and support from local residents and councillors. The Council will be working with the community over the coming months to identify the location and species of trees which will be planted.
The trees will be planted during the Jubilee planting period (October – December) when conditions are best suited for planting. The work will be carried out by the Council’s wholly owned company, ODS.
The Council is currently seeking ;local funding support for the initiative, as there are significant costs associated with surveying for utilities under pavements, digging tree pits, planting and maintenance.
“I am delighted that we will be working with local residents to plant a jubilee avenue on Ridgefield Road. Street trees not only help to improve the visual landscape of an area, but they also help to reduce pollution and support wildlife. In order to achieve a Zero Carbon Oxford by 2040 we need everyone to consider what they can do to support biodiversity in our city.”
Councillor Imogen Thomas, Cabinet Member for Zero Carbon Oxford and Climate Justice, Oxford City Council
Jubilee Avenue street art
In order to mark the Jubilee Avenue, the Council will be working with local artist Jane Gallagher from Florence Park Chalking who will be creating temporary chalk art on the pavement ahead of the jubilee weekend.
The chalk art will follow of the theme of trees, biodiversity, and the Queen’s Jubilee, and will be located next to Regal Community Centre Playground.
Members of the public are being encouraged to visit Ridgefield Road over the jubilee weekend and see the street art in person.
Primary school art in parks
Earlier this year Oxford City Council invited primary schools and nurseries to ‘Paint a tree for the Jubilee’. Participating schools have included Orchard Meadow Primary School, Rose Hill Primary School, Windale Primary School, St Frideswide Primary School, and Windmill Primary School.
The artwork will be printed onto sustainable waterproof paper, and will be on display in local parks and other public areas over the bank holiday weekend.
Improving biodiversity
Improving Oxford’s biodiversity is key as part of the Council’s work to achieve a Zero Carbon Oxford by 2040.
Tree planting is a widely recognised way of combatting climate change but planting the right tree in the right place is crucial.
The Council adopted its Urban Forest Strategy in September 2021, describing how it aims to “green” the city by better protecting and managing Oxford’s trees and hedgerows.
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