London's 2012 Olympic Park will rival the city's other great green oasis Kensington, with hanging gardens and an amphitheatre, Olympics minister Tessa Jowell said on Tuesday. About 4,000 trees, 300,000 wetland plants and hundreds of thousands of bulbs will be planted to create Britain's largest new urban park in over a century.
"The Olympics will create a stunning green oasis in east London that in legacy will join the long list of world famous parks London is so lucky to have," Jowell said in a statement.
"Nowhere else will features like the Great British Garden, wetlands and new wildlife habitats sit side by side with world class sports facilities."
Legacy plans submitted for approval for the 250-acre former industrial site in Stratford, east London, also include an avenue of meadows, lawns and shrubs.
Work has already begun on forming a green backdrop for the Games, inspired by the original Victorian Parks.
New habitats for species will be created, including for the otter, kingfisher, bee, bat, newt, eel and water vole.
Reuters