A 136-year-old common in Walsall has won a grant of more than £4.5 million after the Heritage Lottery Fund announced a £9.3 investment in a trio of parks.
Walsall Arboretum, on the outskirts of the Black Country town's centre, will have a Grade II-listed boathouse, lakes and a clock tower restored alongside new schemes for schools and community groups and an enhanced ranger service.
The grant rewards an ambitious and exhaustive campaign by Walsall Council, which found that at least five types of bats used the space, joined by water voles and a range of rare plant species.
Walsall Arboretum acts as a "substitute garden" for 21,000 local residents, according to the Heritage Lottery Fund
"We're already tremendously proud of the Arboretum but the improvements that are planned will make it a real jewel in Walsall's crown," said Barry Sanders, Walsall Council cabinet member for leisure and culture.
"It has taken a long time and a lot of hard work to reach this stage of such an important project and the fact that our bid has been approved is testament to the dedication and effort of everyone concerned."
Lloyd and Aveling Park was opened in 1900 and was once home to artist William Morris
Waltham Forest's Lloyd and Aveling Park, a 12-hectare Walthamstow park containing a Medieval moat and island, will also be transformed with a £3.5 million investment, and Hillworth Park (top of page), a Devizes beauty spot featuring a Grade II-listed Garden Pavilion, will be spruced up with a £1.2 million cash boost.
"People often look to their local public park as a place to get fit, spend more time with family and friends or just take time out for calm reflection," hypothesised Heritage Lottery Fund head Carole Souter.
"We continue to invest in parks because we know that people really benefit from all these sorts of activities and from having green open spaces to enjoy."
