Brook Green revamp
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
17/11/2008
Brook Green is the latest park in the borough to be refurbished with more than £100,000 earmarked to carry out a wide range of improvements.
Plans include upgrading the tennis courts, replacing fencing, improving access and pathways and refurbishing the dog exercise area. New park benches and bins will also be installed and grass areas dramatically improved. Longer term plans include refurbishing on-site buildings, the children’s play area and information signs.
The announcement from Hammersmith & Fulham Council comes as welcome news to Paul Cosgrove, a partner from local estate agents Finlay Brewer, in Shepherds Bush Road, who called the plans ‘excellent’. He said: “It can only help Brook Green as an open space and as a neighbourhood. Residents will be delighted to see the effect of the re-vamp [once it is completed] and I think everyone in the area agrees that the Green is important and deserves the attention.”
With new businesses, such as the Betty Blythe deli in Blythe Road and the revamped Brook Green Hotel, adding new sparkle to the area, Paul believes Brook Green has a strong community feel – to be envied by nearby Kensington & Chelsea residents. However, Paul is urging the council to keep the Green part of the council’s priorities.
In response, H&F councillor Paul Bristow told h&f news this week: “Everyone knows how committed we are to improve our parks and open spaces and we can’t wait to get to work at this much-loved open space. I am sure that residents will be very pleased with what we have planned for Brook Green. We will continue to ensure that the Green is maintained to the highest standards that our residents expect.”
The council’s ambitious plans to improve Brook Green form part of the ParkLife campaign which has seen substantial investment in parks and open spaces throughout Hammersmith & Fulham in the last few months.
The scheme was called ‘terrific’ by Susannah Frieze, a resident of Luxemburg Gardens and editor of the newly-launched local website The Brook Green Bugle. “The whole family plays on the tennis courts. But at the moment we would love lights for the courts so we could play later in the evening,” she added.
Following a brief consultation with community groups – which will be announced shortly – regeneration work in Brook Green is expected to begin later this month.
