£3m pledged by Lottery to transform Hackney's Springfield Park
More than £3 million has been earmarked to transform and enhance one of Hackney’s most cherished parks.
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund this week announced that Hackney Council had been successful in the first round of bidding for money to improve the borough’s sweeping Springfield Park in the north of the borough.
The Council’s plans, developed in partnership with Springfield Park User Group, include refurbishment of all of the park’s buildings - which date back to the mid-19th century – upgrade work on the park’s footpaths, play equipment and gates, as well as help to preserve and enhance the 14.7 hectare park’s magnificent landscape.
Ahead of the application, the Council talked to park users to outline the ambitious project and get their thoughts on what they would like to see done to improve the much-loved green space.
Hackney boasts some of the best, most well-used parks in London and I’m determined to ensure Springfield Park fulfils its potential as one of the borough’s great green spaces.
The park is well-admired but it is tired and needs these funds to bring it back to its former glory as well as improve upon it.
I would like to thank the parks team and Springfield Park User Group for the work they’ve done achieving earmarked funding and wish them luck in the next round.
HLF’s Chair, Sir Peter Luff, said on behalf of HLF and the Big Lottery Fund: “We all benefit from spending time outside in the fresh air, so it’s vital that we look after our green spaces, particularly in dense urban areas.”
The Council has now got until June 2017 to develop its bid.
To view details of the initial bid, go to: hackney.gov.uk/springfield-park.htmFor more info, contact Georgie Brown by email: georgie.brown@hackney.gov.uk or by phone: 020 8356 4895.