Parks get multi million pound facelift
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
31/01/2008
A major parks investment programme over the next three years will bring a much needed facelift to a number of our popular parks. Most of Hammersmith and Fulham’s parks will benefit over the years, with £1.5million being spent in the coming financial year alone.
Normand Park
£2.86 million worth of work to transform Normand Park has already started with the park, on Lillie Road, benefiting from a complete overhaul including a BMX practice area, plaza garden and new pathways.
Ian Boulden, Chairman of Normand Park Friends, said: “We have been working on the redevelopment of Normand Park for the past six years so we are over the moon that the project has started. We look forward to holding many markets, fetes and music days in the park once it is finished and get the community involved in its future.”
Shepherds Bush Green
Meanwhile on Shepherds Bush Green £3.3 million worth of improvements moved closer last month after the council started a public consultation on the plans. The proposals include a multi-use games area, extensive children’s play facilities, a skateboard area and a café with new toilets. The design creates a boulevard effect on the outside of the common, including a new cycle path.
Cllr Paul Bristow is Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services and is leading on the vision of 21st Century parks for the council. He says, “We believe these exciting proposals will transform the common and ensure that it remains as one of our great open spaces.”
Under the proposal, the common would be divided by paths into three main grassed sections, with slightly raised areas and a section that can be used for entertainment. The historic war memorial will remain in its current location.
South Park
Further south, South Park has also been earmarked for a major revamp. As one of the council’s flagship parks, South Park will have extensive works carried out to raise the overall standard of management and grounds maintenance, as well as benefiting from much needed improvements to the park’s key features. Repairs to the perimeter terracotta walls and removal of planters in the central area of the park have already started. Alongside repairs to the South Lodge and improvements to the changing rooms and toilets, essential maintenance works are also being undertaken with a view to the future of the park as a facility for recreation, play and quiet enjoyment for residents.
Bishop's Park
At the southern most tip of the borough more than 500 visitors flocked to Fulham’s Bishop’s Park to view proposals for Bishop’s Park ahead of a council Lottery bid to improve the space. Residents joined local amenity groups and Hammersmith & Fulham councillors to examine plans to restore the Park and Fulham Palace grounds to their former glory. Next month, the council will apply to the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Parks for People Programme to secure the additional investment needed to restore Bishop’s Park and the Palace Grounds. If successful, Bishops Park and Fulham Palace will finally realise their full potential as unique heritage assets, relevant to the present and future needs of the wider community.
Roger Weston from Bishops Park Co-ordinating Group says: “Generally I think there was a lot of good stuff in the consultation day. I am pleased to see that the lottery bid plans are very much in line with what was discussed with us. "
