Opportunities for you at Vicky Park
Residents can still give their views on multi-million plans to
restore Victoria Park.
Queen Victoria joined a host of Tower Hamlets residents for a
tour of Victoria Park in a horse drawn carriage to celebrate the
completion of multi-million pound improvement plans for the
much-loved open space.
The 500 page plans, which were created in consultation with
residents and visitors, were today (21.12.09) submitted to the
Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to bid for funding through the Parks
and People scheme – a £90 million joint project between the Big
Lottery Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Councillor Abdal Ullah, Lead Member for Cleaner, Safer, Greener
at Tower Hamlets Council, who joined the look-a-like Queen Victoria
and local residents to discuss the plans for the park, said:
“Victoria Park is the crown jewel in the parks of the East End. It
is our equivalent of West London’s Hyde Park and Regents Park, and
of major importance to local people.
“These improvement plans have been shaped from start to finish by
the local community. They are wide-ranging and aim to open up the
park to a future generation of users.
“We hope the plans do the job as we cross our fingers and wait to
hear the outcome of our funding bid.”
Opened in the 1840s, after Queen Victoria received a petition of
30,000 signatures from east enders, it is hoped that Victoria Park
will be revamped in time for London 2012. Not only will it provide
part of the walking course for athletes, but it will provide a key
cycle route to the Olympic Park for Londoners.
Home to the annual Lovebox music festival, the new plans include
a host of improvements, ranging from an urban beach and skate park
to restored model boating lake and historical monuments.
Bow resident, Christine Ford, who visits the park daily with her
family, is supporting the bid
She said: “I’ve used the park all my life and these plans are
fantastic. It will be good to see the return of the Chinese pagoda
and the boating lake.”
The park was designed in 1841 by architect, James Pennethorne,
following a petition of more than 30,000 signatures to Queen
Victoria. It encapsulated Victoria splendour, with its grand
entrances and wide promenades, whilst meeting the needs of the
overcrowded population through the provision of some much needed
open space.
Designed by architect James Pennethorne in 1841, the original
plans are set to be revived, recreating a traditional English
Garden and constructing an exquisite Chinese bridge which still
remains as a drawing by the architect. The bridge will complement a
new Chinese pagoda which will occupy the same site as the original
pagoda.
Other elements of the plans include the restoration of the Dogs
of Alcibiades, which guard the Bonner Gate on the west side of the
park, and the iconic Burdett-Coutts Fountain. There also plans for
a new café and community facilities in the east on the park, along
with a state-of-the-art water, sand and wheel facilities.
Tower Hamlets Council will find out the results of the bid in
March 2010. If successful in gaining the funding, a total of £12
million would be invested in Victoria Park, including money already
committed by the council. This would represent the single biggest
investment in the park since its creation.
Victoria Park Project Stage 2 - final master plan display
Come and find out about the Victoria Park Project and see a
display of the Masterplan on the following dates:
22 February, 12.30am – 8.30pm
Idea Store Whitechapel
321 Whitechapel Road
E1 1BU
23 February, 10.30am – 8pm
Cubitt Town Library
Strattondale Street
E14 3HG
24 February, 12.30pm – 3.30pm
Wapping 1 o’clock Club
2A Chandler Street
E1W 2QP
26 February, 10.30am – 6pm
Idea Store Chrisp Street
1 Vesey Path
East India Dock Road
E14 6BT
For further information contact Robert Roach on robert.roach@towerhamlets.gov.uk or
0207364 4996.
Latest news
Young Mayor supports Lottery
Fund/Big Lottery Fund bid:
2 February
We are writing to support the application by Tower Hamlets
Council to the Heritage Lottery and Big Lottery Fund for funding to
improve Victoria Park.
Victoria Park is a very important asset for all of the community
in Tower Hamlets. For young people, it is an important place where
we can meet with friends, exercise and experience the many
activities the park offers.
The improvements proposed will make the park even better for
young people. The new playground facilities will provide children
with state-of-the-art water, sand and wheel facilities. This will
give them lots more play opportunities.
For young people, the new skate park will give us a place to
learn new tricks and get plenty of exercise. We are really excited
about the urban beach – it will be a great hangout when the weather
is warm and sunny!
Tower Hamlets doesn’t have very much green space and Victoria
Park is the biggest and the best in the borough. We want it to
continue to be visited by future generations and continue to give
young people and children a place to exercise and have fun. The
funding requested by Tower Hamlets Council will ensure this.
Yours faithfully,
Landry Adelard, Jahangir Alom, Tahmina Begum, Mizanur Rahman,
Zishan Ahmed, Nazrul Islam, Shah Ali Hydar and Farhan Islam
Young Mayor and Deputy Young Mayors of Tower Hamlets.
Are you interested in supporting the Victoria Park Project by
attending future community meetings?
Victoria Park Partnership Group
When: Tuesday 9 February, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Where: St Paul’s Church (meeting hall)
St Stephen’s Road
E3 5LJ
There will be some light refreshments available.
View the Masterplan proposed for Victoria Park.
Click and download
a pdf (1.8Mb) of the Masterplan.