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Barking Park secures £3.25 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund

Barking Park has been awarded £3.2 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The fund enables local communities to protect, promote and learn about areas or buildings that have a historic and diverse heritage.

Opened in 1898, Barking Park covers almost 30 hectares and the money will be used to restore the green space and provide facilities for local people to enjoy.

The funding will ensure that work can now start on redeveloping the Lido area to incorporate a wet play area, café and toilets.

All entrances to the park will be upgraded to make them more welcoming, new paths and cycle routes will be created, and the parks lake and historic features will be restored.

In addition there will be a kids' play area and skate park, the park's lighting and security systems will also be upgraded, and there will be information boards throughout the park to highlight its past.

The lottery cash will also fund a project manager post, as well as training for all staff, volunteers and the Friends Group.

Two park rangers have already been appointed. The education and outreach ranger and assistant ranger will be on site 7 days a week to provide a continued presence in the park and make people feel safer while using it. The rangers will also put on events and activities throughout the year and provide educational information on the parks biodiversity and wildlife.

Barking Park will also benefit from a specially designed artwork to tie in with how the park is used and its heritage theme. Artist Ekto, will create the artwork with local youngsters and the Friends of the Park group.

This follows on from the success of the urban art project in Parsloes Park last year, which saw a vandalised football changing room transformed into a mural featuring the borough's football greats.

Councillor Val Rush, Executive Member for Parks, said:

"This is great news for our residents, the money means we can deliver an award winning park for the borough.

"The Council is dedicated to having green spaces that our residents will use, enjoy and feel safe in, and the money from the Heritage Lottery Fund will help us to deliver this."

Sue Bowers, Heritage Lottery Fund Manager for London, said:

"Barking Park is a much loved legacy from the Victorian era and it plays a vital role in the heart of the Thames Gateway.

"Today's news will ensure it is restored to its former glory for future generations to enjoy."

The award is the largest award the Council has ever received from the Heritage Lottery Fund. It brings the total received for the Barking Park project from the Heritage Lottery Fund to £3,546,300 since 2004.

Thursday 13 March 2008.

Heritage Lottery Funded

Barking Park

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