News about Leicester’s heritage
Page last edited: 30th July 2014
26th June 2014
Help to tell city’s ‘Story of Parks’
PEOPLE are being asked for their views and ideas for events and activities to help tell Leicester’s ‘Story of Parks’.
The six-week public consultation, which launches today (Monday, Jun 23), is part of an ambitious project to tell the story of Victoria Park and its historic gates, as well as other capture the history of other city parks.
The project is being supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The consultation will ask people about the activities they would like to see or get involved with. The best and most popular ideas will be submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) as part of a project plan for final funding approval.
If successful, the council will receive HLF funding to help deliver an 18-month long programme of activities based around the history of Leicester’s parks. This would begin in the summer of 2015.
A consultation roadshow will be traveling around community centres, libraries and other city council venues. Its first stop will be at Leicester Central Library until Saturday, 28 June.
Assistant City Mayor, Cllr Piara Singh Clair, said: “Parks play a very special part in the lives of people who grow up in our cities and everyone has a story to tell.
“We are delighted the Heritage Lottery Fund have awarded first stage approval for our ‘Story of Parks’ project and agreed to fund our initial research and consultation.
“It is important that we capture the ideas of people who use our parks, or have perhaps have memories passed on from previous generations who have grown up around them.”
In total, the city council receive around £300,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This will also pay for the repair and refurbishment of the ornate Edwin Lutyens-designed gates at the entrance to Peace Walk and the park lodges on Victoria Park.
The gates were a commemorative gift to the city by Sir Jonathan North, who was mayor of Leicester during the First World War.
The Leicester park heritage consultation can be completed online at www.leicester.gov.uk/haveyoursay
[Source: Leicester City Council]