Ealing residents are invited to help shape the future of two of the borough’s most historic parks while enjoying a weekend of free activities.

Visitors to Walpole Park will be able to learn more about the park’s wildlife and nature or try some gardening. Arts and crafts will also be offered as part of the Park Play Day run with Ealing 135 Group on Saturday 22 September from 11am to 3pm.

As well as having fun, visitors are invited to give their views on what new play facilities they would like as part of £2.4million of improvements to Walpole Park funded by a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) through its Parks for People programme.

The Celebrate Gunnersbury event at Gunnersbury Park from 11am to 4pm on Sunday 23 September includes the chance to meet a costumed Princess Amelia on a tour of her bath house. There will also be tours of the temple and Victorian kitchens. Mini-safaris, pond-dipping, guided tree walks, croquet on the lawn and music in the museum will also be on offer.

People attending the Gunnersbury Park event will be invited to share their ideas on how they would like to see the park develop.

Ealing and Hounslow councils recently received two development grants to transform Gunnersbury Park and Gunnersbury Park Museum. The park received a development grant of £321,000 from HLF and the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) jointly, whilst the museum received £386,400 from HLF.

Councillor Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council said: “Gunnersbury and Walpole are much loved parks visited by generations of residents. Both events offer the opportunity to see what makes them so special whether learning about their fascinating pasts or helping to shape their futures.”

The Walpole Park Play Day and Celebrate Gunnersbury events are part of Open House London weekend. The weekend gives people a unique opportunity to visit over 750 buildings, including award winning designs and heritage properties across London.

Open House London weekend takes place from Saturday 22 to Sunday 23 September.
Ealing Town Hall, Ealing Abbey and an eco-friendly refurbished loft in Hanwell are among other buildings welcoming visitors for Open House Weekend.

For full details of events in Ealing visit www.openhouselondon.org.uk/ealing

19th September 2012