Friends of Parks and other local groups have been awarded a share of the council’s £1 million Platinum Jubilee parks fund, announced last year.
This additional funding will support proposals for a range of enhancements which include improvements to play areas, enhancements to the natural beauty of public gardens, or biodiversity and restoration work.
The council received nearly 30 applications in the first funding round and as work continues to approve the remainder which meet the criteria, a further round is being announced. Applications were invited for up to £40,000 of funding available for each ward with a ceiling of £20,000 for each proposal. A wide variety of additional applications are expected over the lifetime of the fund.
Councillor Christopher Marlow, Executive Councillor for Resources, Commissioning and Contract Management said, “I was delighted to see the level of passion and enthusiasm evident in applications to the Jubilee Parks Fund. I would like to thank all of the Friends of Parks Groups and other community groups for all of the work that you do to make a difference to our greenspaces, whom we are delighted to support via this fund. I would encourage any groups that have yet to apply to do so, so that we can ensure that the funds are able to benefit as many parks as possible across the borough”.
Initial proposals to be awarded money are as follows:
- Chislehurst Cemetery – the creation of a memorial garden for those who have lost babies. The garden will introduce seating, a bespoke structure and new plants and flowers to an otherwise underutilised part of the cemetery.
- Chislehurst Common – replacement of eleven concrete bins with enclosed ones to improve the quality of litter facilities on site.
- Coney Hall Recreation Ground – the enlargement of an existing multi use games area with football and basketball facilities. Two currently un-used tennis courts will be resurfaced with table tennis tables and a Learn to Ride Circuit.
- Cudham Recreation Ground – the upgrading and refurbishment of the play area.
- Hayes Common – the acquisition of specialist hand tools for the friends group to aid maintenance of the heathland and acid grassland.
- Queensmead Recreation Ground – regeneration of the playground with a focus on catering for younger children.
- Scadbury Park – the restoration of two ponds to facilitate habitat improvement for the site’s locally significant population of Great Crested Newts
Potential applicants for the next round of funding are advised to look at the guidance on the council’s website before applying by visiting
www.bromley.gov.uk/jubileeparksfund. This round of applications will close on 1 April 2023, however, those requesting £3000 or less may submit an application at any time as part of a fast track process.
There are more than 150 parks and greenspaces across the borough, in varying shapes and sizes, which are all eligible for these funds. The council’s aim, with the support of Friends of Parks groups and local people, is to improve and maintain parks and greenspaces across the borough.
If you are interested in joining a local parks group, head to www.bromley.gov.uk/parks to find one in your area.