An "extensive" wetlands park is to be created at the site of the London 2012 Athletes' Village under new proposals confirmed by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA).

The first phase of work has now started on the landscaping and public realm project, which will lead to the creation of a 2.5-hectare (6.2-acre) wetland park featuring three ponds and two marshland areas. In total, the ODA's proposed parkland will cover a 10-hectare (25-acre) area to complement 2,818 new homes that will be provided in Legacy mode. New play areas and open spaces feature among the plans.

Open spaces within the Athletes' Village site will be created in addition to the landscaping work already being carried out across the Olympic Park to create one of the UK's largest new urban parks for a century. ODA chair John Armitt said: "The Athletes' Village will not only deliver essential new homes for Londoners, it will create new parks, trees, play areas and open spaces that can be enjoyed by new and existing communities for generations to come.

"The construction of the Village is firmly on track and with landscaping works now underway, we will start to see a series of new green open spaces take shape between the new homes being built." London 2012 organising committee chair Sebastian Coe added: "The mature designs planned demonstrate that we care about athlete well being by creating a peaceful oasis. The Village has a permanence and maturity and will have the same lasting impact on its residents after the Games."

Image: ODA