The Friends of Kennington Park and Lambeth Council are making an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a grant towards the £200,000 needed to restore the Flower Garden.
Created in 1921, the Flower Garden is one of the park’s highlights - or should be. Despite great efforts by the park’s gardening team, time, wear and tear and anti-social behaviour have taken their toll. Although well loved by some people, it isn’t used by very many because of its condition and fears over security.
We need to look at everything in the garden - from the edge treatments and walls, pergola, paving and benches, to the plants and planting scheme, from the sundial to anti-social behaviour.
Such a comprehensive revamp means a lot of money and the involvement of the local community.
What’s the process?
The Friends of Kennington Park and Lambeth Council have sounded out the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) about how to secure the money.
We need to show that a newly restored garden would be well used by local people and that it has a heritage that is worth both protecting and sharing.
We have now been encouraged by HLF to submit a Stage One application by early June.
What’s involved in a Stage One Application?
The key part of this stage is getting ideas from local people and stakeholders about the future of the Flower Garden. We need to gather ideas, suggestions, concerns and aspirations so are running a consultation workshop from 2.30-4.30pm on 16 April at the café in the park.
What happens next?
If our Stage One application is successful, we’ll turn our ideas into detailed design proposals and draft anActivities Plan which will detail how we’ll increase usage of the garden – and the understanding of its heritage.
If Stage One is successful, we move on to Stage Two. That’s the bit where we actually ask for the cash! If we get it, we expect the newly restored garden to be opened by Summer 2014.
How you can help
· Come along to the workshop on 16 April at the café. Tell us what would help improve use of the Flower Garden. What you love about the Flower Garden. What you would change and what would you like to see in a new garden.
If you can’t come to the event please request a questionnaire from the Friends.
This is your chance to play a key part in the regeneration of one of the park’s most important features – and make it a lovely spot for everyone to enjoy once more. Please get involved and help us create the Flower Garden our park deserves.
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