Bracknell

Bracknell's much loved South Hill Park is set to receive a multi-million pound renovation following a successful National Lottery grant bid by Bracknell Forest Borough Council.

The Bracknell Council’s parks and countryside service has been awarded £209,000 design and development funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund’s national Parks for People programme following a successful bid.

Following on from previous consultations, Bracknell Council will work with residents and park users to finalise proposals to greatly improve this popular park before making a detailed bid for further funding to the lottery funds. The project’s total cost is expected to be £4.4million and would include three years of works on site and then 10 years of ongoing maintenance.

Major work is expected to include restoring the terrace garden including disabled access improvements; de-silting the southern lake; and conserving and enhancing woodland areas.
New paths and access points are proposed and a more welcoming park entrance from the main car park will be created. Information for visitors around the park will also be improved.

There are also several smaller projects being planned including wildlife improvements, better facilities for Bracknell young people, improving the landscaped features and restoring the amphitheatre. A project manager will oversee the work and will also help set up a friends group for the park.

This is Bracknell's second major heritage grant success following on from the 10-year, £2million restoration of Lily Hill Park. The second phase was officially opened last year.

Michelle Davies, on behalf of HLF and the Big Lottery Fund, said: Lottery money has already played a vital role in the renaissance of our historic parks, but there is so much more to be done.

"South Hill Park plays an important role in the community and this additional investment will transform it into a place people can be really proud of.”

Bob Angell, Chair of the South Hill Park Arts Centre Trust, said: "We are proud of our position in South Hill Park in the heart of Bracknell Forest life, and are really pleased with this grant.

"We are looking forward to working with the Council to further enhance South Hill Park for future generations."

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Bracknell Leisure, Corporate Services and Public Protection, said: This is a tremendous achievement coming hard on the heels of the Lily Hill Park funding and significantly the only successful bid in the south east of England.

"All credit to our parks and countryside team for securing this funding for the borough. I am looking forward to working with residents and seeing South Hill Park develop and improve over the coming years.

”We now have a wonderful resource in Lily Hill Park, and I have no doubt that we can achieve the same results in South Hill Park.”

Bracknell Forest Borough Council