Bishops Park revamp to begin

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Bishops Park revamp to begin

Tuesday August 24, 2010

Fulham’s iconic Bishops Park is set for a radical transformation later this year.

Work to replace worn out tennis courts begins next month while a renovation of the park itself, together with the creation of an urban beach starts soon after.

In Edwardian times, families from across the capital descended on Bishops Park’s very own beach, known as 'Margate Sands'. And the council will start to recreate that special seaside atmosphere in October.

The beach plans are part of an £8million project to improve Bishop's Park and the adjoining grounds of Fulham Palace. The council has received £3.65million from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help pay for the project

As well as the urban beach, the council will be restoring the ornamental lake and picturesque bridge. Three major play areas will also be created and the café will be upgraded.

The famous Fulham Palace grounds, including the walled garden will also be restored and the vinery and the stables will be turned into an education centre.

Cllr Greg Smith, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “Both Bishops Park and Fulham Palace grounds are of huge historic importance to the borough and these exciting improvements will see them reaffirmed as jewels in the Hammersmith & Fulham crown.”

The council will also be spending £378,000 to renovate the existing tennis courts to provide 12 new full-size adult courts and four junior courts. Some sections will be floodlit so the courts can open till 8pm in winter instead of having to close at 4pm.

Work to install the beach and improve the tennis courts means that the council may be unable to hold November’s annual Bishops Park bonfire night display.

Cllr Smith explained: “There is no way that we can allow thousands of people to walk through the park at night when it is possible that a large swathe of land will be nothing more than a building site. Safety is of paramount importance and we are looking closely to see if it is possible to host the bonfire event given the circumstances. The council will, of course, still be hosting a firework display just a few miles away in Ravenscourt Park and those who usually attend the Fulham festivities are more than welcome to attend.”

Work on the courts will be phased so that some tennis will be available during construction. Work to upgrade courts seven to 15 and install floodlights starts on Wednesday September 15 and will last around six weeks, with improvements to courts one to six taking place from December onwards.

Cllr Smith said: “This is excellent news for everyone who enjoys playing tennis. There are so many wonderful sporting facilities in Hammersmith & Fulham and we are delighted that we will soon be able to add these improved tennis courts to that list.”

Access through the courts during construction will be closed from Bishops Avenue and Bishops Park Road. Players are asked to use alternative access from Fulham Palace Road points.

For details on how to book courts email sportsbookings@lbhf.gov.uk or call 020 8753 4103.

» Send us your comments now

Can you give us an expected completion date for the park? Like so many local families we are very excited about the new development and CAN'T WAIT to use it, but it has overrun by almost 6 months already, and we have no sense of when the works will finally end
From Tom on 07/02/2012 at 14:44
I am concerned about when the skate bowl will be open because i have been waiting a long time and nothing has happened to the play area where the bowl is. I also think that you should put a drain in the bowl because if it rains it will fill up and no one can use it. Right now the skate bowl has filled up alot. Please tell email me about this matter
From Shep on 03/01/2012 at 16:02
I am very concerned that from April there seems to be a move to open the park later in the morning at 7.30. I'm unclear as to where the local consultation of this decision is being held. As a local resident who uses the park frequently from 6am I would like to ensure that the earlier time of 6am opening is kept. There are plenty of dog walkers and runners who need to use the park often before getting to work in the morning. Is there a local campaign.
From Hrl on 30/01/2011 at 19:47
Hi there, is the archeology work and renovation process being recorded around Fulham Palace and the grounds being recorded for posterity ?
From Phill Williams on 09/12/2010 at 09:53
If there is going to be sand for the beach what protection will there
be from dog doing their business there?

Reply from the council: You will be pleased to know that Fulham Beach will be fenced off and no dogs will be permitted to enter. If we catch owners allowing their dogs to enter the site to do their business, we will have no hesitation to issue them with a Fixed Penalty Notice of 75.
From chilli6 on 04/10/2010 at 19:43

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