Normand Park wins award

Tuesday November 24, 2009

The recently transformed Normand Park has won a prestigious Landscape Institute Award.

The Fulham park was recently revamped to the tune of £3 million and the council was presented with the award at a ceremony hosted by famous environmentalist Jonathan Porritt (Thursday November 19).

Cllr Paul Bristow, cabinet member for resident’s services, said: “I am delighted that Normand Park has won such a prestigious award. I am sure that anyone who has visited the rejuvenated park will agree that it is fully deserving of this honour. Everyone knows how committed the council is to improving its parks and open spaces but it is always wonderful to receive recognition from a panel of experts.

David Bowler, Director of the NDC, said: "We're delighted for Normand park to have won this award as it recognises the strong, vital role the community have played, in their partnership with council, to design, develop and deliver an innovative park for all.  The enhancement of Normand Park is a great example of the long term dedication shown by our community to improving life in the local area for everyone, and represents a key part of the NDC programme's legacy".

The park reopened in July 2008 following a massive transformation led by the council, neighbourhood regeneration programme North Fulham New Deal for Communities (NDC) and Arts Council England.

Features of the new park include:

  • A larger and improved play area with outside table tennis tables, climbing walls, ball games area, wildflower planting, sand pit, an informal play area with grass, trees and balancing beams
  • A BMX practice area for younger people
  • A new tree lined walk around the bowling green
  • An open grass area with picnic decks and wildflowers
  • A community garden area
  • A broadwalk running through the park with overhead artistic lighting which creates patterns and shadows when activated by movement
  • A refurbished building to provide new toilet facilities and office space for the new park officer
  • New viewing panels in the park wall along Normand Road to improve visibility into and out of the park
  • An underground water tank which will collect rain water to irrigate the park
  • Beautiful new plants and trees from one of Europe's top nurseries

The Landscape Institute Awards encourage and recognise outstanding examples of work by the landscape profession. The award was presented to the council's architect, Kinnear Landscape Architects.