Hillworth Park - Keeping the Best, Improving the Rest!

In January 2010 Devizes Town Council was successful in securing £1.2m of funding from the Heritage and Big Lottery Funds 'Parks for People' programme for the refurbishment of the park.

Although we had hoped to complete the park in 2011, this now looks unlikely, as the time to sort out the details has proven to take longer than we first thought.  It is too early to tell exactly when we will start the work but we hope that the extra planning we put in now will ensure that there are fewer problems along the way.

Although the project is led by the Town Council, from the very start this had been a true community project with lots of work and support from the Friends of Hillworth Park and other community groups, organisations and individuals around the town.

Work to remove some trees in Hillworth Park commenced on Monday 24 January and is invoving the felling of a number of softwood trees.

Whilst this work is being carried out we will have had no alternative other than to close the the park, as there is a significant safety risk.

Once the work is complete views through the park will be significantly opened up ready to make way for new tree planting and the re ordering of the park.

In March, conservation works to the Garden Pavilion will commence, which will be followed by the construction of the Park Centre and landscaping.  We are on the edge of an exciting development for the park, which will ensure that it can continue to meet the needs of the community for generations to come, so although I am sorry for any inconvenience these works may cause, I am confident it will be worth the disruption in the longer

If you would like to become a 'Friend of Hillworth Park' and take an active part in the future development of Hillworth Park please take a few moments to visit the groups new web page to find out what is going on and how you can get involved.

http://www.devizes-tc.gov.uk/parks/hillworth-park/friends.html

Main elements of the proposals:

Restoration of the Garden Pavilion
Introduction of a Park Warden
Improvements in children’s play facilities
Removal of the central hedge
Improvements in landscaping and maintenance
A new Park Centre facility for refreshments as well as use by schools and local organisations
New multi use games area
A range of activities and events taking place in the park – from educational tree walks and horticultural workshops to musical events
Improved toilets
A chance to get involved as a volunteer

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