16 Parks Set for Multi-Million Pound Facelifts
Hammersmith & Fulham Council has agreed this week to invest £4.5 million improving 16 parks across the borough.
On Monday, April 8 H&F Council’s Cabinet rubberstamped the refurbishment programme which will see a new pavilion built at Brook Green in Hammersmith, sports facilities improved at South Park in Fulham and the play area upgraded at Hammersmith Park in Shepherd's Bush within the next year.
In 2014-15, improvements will be made to Frank Banfield Park on the riverside at Hammersmith and Wormholt Park in the north of Shepherd's Bush will receive a complete refurbishment at a cost of £1million.
The year after, the astroturf will be resurfaced at Ravenscourt Park in Hammersmith and Eel Brook Common in Fulham will see improvements at the north end, towards Effie Road.
Other parks set for a boost over the next three years are Wormwood Scrubs, Hurlingham Park, Normand Park, Rowberry Mead, Gwendwr Road, Marcus Garvey Park, Cathnor Park and Lillie Road Recreation Ground.
Cllr Greg Smith, H&F Council, deputy leader said: " We understand how important beautiful, well maintained parks are for residents and that is why we have committed to spending such a large sum of money
" This borough has some of the most tranquil and picturesque parks in London and we are looking forward to carrying out this huge raft of improvements over the next three years."
£1.5m has been funded through the council’s capital budget with the remaining funds being received through grants plus anticipated Section 106 contributions, which ensure that developers such as St George, who are building developments such as Fulham Reach and Chelsea Creek contribute to local neighbourhood improvements once planning permission has been granted.
In addition to the £4.5million budgeted for the next three years, the £8million restoration of Bishops Park is Fulham is now complete, and the council says the £2.6 million improvement project to Shepherds Bush Green will be complete by the end of May.
There are 62 parks and open spaces in Hammersmith & Fulham, receiving more than seven million visits per year.
April 10, 2013
