Have a say on East Park masterplan
Released: 12 February 2008
Wolverhampton residents are being encouraged to have their say about a multi-million pound plan to restore an historic park to its former glory.
Wolverhampton City Council is preparing to submit a bid for funding of around £5 million to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to restore and redevelop East Park.
A draft masterplan has been drawn up following consultation with park users last summer. It identifies the key proposals for East Park, and the city council is now seeking comments about each of them before it is submitted to the HLF next month.
East Park was one of the first derelict land reclamation schemes in Britain, built over mine shafts and colliery spoil heaps to provide recreation and fresh air for people living in the east of the city.
It was opened in 1896, and originally boasted a large central lake. The lake, however, was prone to leaking and eventually drained away.
Many of the original features remain, however; the bandstand, the handsome avenue of trees down the main drive, and the woods and glades beyond. Other features were added and then changed over the years, including a plant nursery, outdoor swimming pool and tennis pavilion.
More recent additions, including a children’s play area and cycle speedway track, have ensured the park remains actively used for recreation.
The masterplan will build on the activities which take place in the park while restoring many of the original features such as the clock tower and bandstand.
There will be a new park building to house changing rooms and a café, formal gardens and seating areas, a larger children’s play area and a new paddling pool. The exact cost of these proposals are being worked out over the next month, and it may be that choices need to be made on the priorities for funding.
The masterplan and an easy-to-complete questionnaire can be found at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/eastparkconsultation
Copies are also available from the rangers building at East Park or by phoning the city council on 01902 551155. Comments must be returned by Friday February 22.
Councillor John Reynolds, cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: “We hope that as many people as possible can have a look at the masterplan and complete the comments form.
“We are reliant on securing external funding and asking for comments on the masterplan is the final stage of the consultation process before we submit our bid in March.
“The HLF and the BIG Lottery’s ‘Parks for the People’ fund is one of the few opportunities we have of gaining the level of funding which will really make a difference, but it is a competitive process where public support is key.
”While we hope to begin the work as soon as possible, the process is quite lengthy and we would not expect to be in a position to start work on site until 2010 at the earliest.”
Issued by the press office.