Walpole Park Wins The Lottery!

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Money will help restore it to its former glory

Walpole Park has won the biggest slice from a £4.1m Heritage Lottery fund grant to help support its restoration.

It's one of several parks in London that have received funding: Raphael Park, Romford gets £1.7m, Alexandra Road Park, Camden: £90,00 Plashet Park, Newham: £66,000 West Hackney Recreation Ground, Hackney: £47,500.

Walpole is to get £2.4m. The good news means the council can now get on with restoring the park to its original beauty and improve its visitor facilities.

It will undergo major conservation to recreate its Regency planting and the kitchen garden will be reinstated.

Ealing Council will also provide extensive volunteering opportunities aiming to work with over 150 volunteers a year, as well as educational activities for the local community.

Wesley Kerr, chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund London Committee, said: "Walpole and Raphael Park are among the best parks in their boroughs and in London.

"With historic landscapes, towering trees, water, play, sport, and recreation facilities - as with so many of our parks, some of the best features have become tired or emasculated.

"However with this investment from HLF these will be restored."

The announcement will serve as some consolation after the bid for funding for Pitzhanger Manor was turned down.

Vivienne Cane-Honeysett, Chair of Walpole Friends welcomed today's news. She said:

“Winning this funding of £2.4m will greatly enhance the experience of using Walpole Park,
which is the busiest Park in Ealing. It will also assist in restoring Walpole Park’s position -
together with Pitzhanger Manor - as a centre of heritage and culture, while providing
updated and exciting facilities for park users.

“We look forward to continuing our commitment to the development of Walpole Park
through our wide range of community activities and volunteering, and representing the
needs and interests of our members.

“Now that the Parks for People bid has been won, it is only the start of the hard work! In
addition to our continuing involvement with Walpole Park, Walpole Friends is also actively
involved in supporting the second HLF bid for Pitzhanger Manor.”

 

 

 

11th July 2011