Barking Park 

Heritage Lottery Fund Project 

• Background 

  Barking Park Restoration and Improvement Project developed from the production of the borough's Parks and Green Spaces Strategy in 2003 which highlighted the need for Barking Park to be restored and enhanced.

  The Borough does not have the funds to undertake this work and therefore external funding was sought to ensure this work could be completed.

  The Heritage Lottery Fund's Public Park Initiative was therefore approached, and the borough was encouraged to submit a bid for the restoration and improvement of Barking Park.

  After securing a Stage 1 pass in 2006, a Development Grant of £245,000 was secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund under this initiative for further studies and plans to be completed, and for the plans to be revised.

  These were completed by June 2007, and submitted as part of a Stage 2 bid to Heritage Lottery Fund, who awarded funding of £3,254,000  to Barking Park in February 2008 for its restoration and improvement.
  
  Work started on the project in August 2010, and was completed in Spring on 2012. A weekend of events celebrated it's official opening, including a ribbon cutting ceremony and a Play in the Park event.

   

• Aim and objectives 

  The vision for Heritage Lottery Funded Restoration of Barking Park was:

  'To create a revitalised park for the needs of the local community in the 21st century and to restore the park to its premier position within the borough of Barking and Dagenham.

  The original park was created as part of the development of Barking New Town in the late 19th century, and it is proposed to revitalise the park as part of the current redevelopment of Barking Town Centre, and to accommodate the needs of this new community, as well as the changing leisure needs of local people'.

   

• Masterplan 

  As part of the Stage 2 submission to the Heritage Lottery Fund, an annotated Masterplan has been produced for Barking Park.

  The Barking Park Masterplan contains the following proposals:

  • A new Park Hub consisting of a Visitor Centre on the site of the depot consisting of a new café, classroom, toilets, courtyard, boating facilities and accommodation for the 2 Rangers based at the park plus an enclosed Lido water garden with wet play facilities, toilets, changing areas and a kiosk. Separate to the Heritage Lottery Fund Project will be the construction of a Sports Pavilion.
  • Located between these areas will be improved play area for different ages within the 0-12 year group, linked by a tree lined avenue.
  • The ornamental area will be restored and replanted with an exciting seasonal mix of shrubs and herbaceous plants
  • Barking Park lake will be partially dredged of silt, banks will be stabilised and edge planting introduced to enhance the wildlife value of this nature conservation area. Reed beds will be planted at the eastern end of the lake, with access for educational use
  • New boundary fencing and cycle ways, and the 2 existing car parks will be relocated to the park boundaries thus removing internal traffic within the park, with wildflower meadows created on the site of the former car parks
  • CCTV provision across the park; and a dedicated Ranger Service has been established to work with park users and attract in new ones via an events and activity programme

   

• Project planning 

  Consultation on seating, skate areas and planting proposals have been undertaken with the Barking Park Friends Group. The planting will provide seasonal colour and variation whilst reflecting the late Victorian layout of the ornamental area.

  Consultation with groups such as Abbey Children's Centre, Barking and Dagenham Youth Forum and local special need groups have been completed over the proposals for the relocated play areas and for the new wet play area located on the site of the former Lido.

   

• Ornamental Gardens - Planting Scheme 

  As part of the Heritage Lottery funded improvements the Victorian ornamental areas of the park have been restored and replanted with an exciting seasonal mix of shrubs and herbaceous plants.

  Before planting work could start, a lot of over grown shrubs and plants had to be cut back to make room for the new plants. Beds were prepared to make the soil fertile, and once the plants were planted bark chippings were added to help keep down weeds and keep in the moisture.
  
  The beds also now have numerous watering points to make sure the plants stay healthy.

   

• Before and After photos 

  Click the image for a larger version.

  The old depot and garages		Now, the new Café and public toilets
  Inside the old depot yard		The visitor centre and café courtyard
  The old Lido		The Splash Park and Sports Pavilion
  Disused paddling pool		Brand new play area
  The Disused Lido		The Splash Park