South Kesteven District Council has renewed its commitment to preserving and enhancing the District’s cherished parks and green spaces as part of Love Parks Week 2023.
Cllr Paul Stokes, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture, said: “Our parks bring people together, provide a safe environment for recreational activity and promote healthy and active lifestyles.
“This week-long celebration is an opportunity to appreciate all the parks and green spaces that South Kesteven has to offer and to acknowledge the hard work of council and park staff, volunteers and the community in maintaining them to the highest standards.
“We are delighted that just last week our three public parks in Grantham had their coveted Green Flag status renewed, which is testament to that hard work and commitment.
“It’s a clear sign that our parks are, and will always be, regarded as invaluable community assets.”
There will be an opportunity for residents to explore their parks and open spaces as part of regular Wellbeing Walks taking place throughout South Kesteven, including:
Tuesday: A walk through Market Deeping will include John Eve Park and a riverside walk.
Wednesday and Friday: A walk through Bourne will include the woods and Wellhead Park
Thursday: In Stamford, the walk will pass through the Recreation Park and the Meadows.
Friday: Walks in Grantham include Barrowby Stream and wooded area and the Canal Walk through Dysart, Wyndham and Queen Elizabeth Parks.
Go to https://www.lincolnshire.coop/wellbeing-walks to find out more about Wellbeing Walks.
The Council welcomes newly-recruited Alison Lewis, Parks and Events Community Engagement Officer, as part of its commitment to fostering community engagement across the three Council owned and operated parks in Grantham.
The appointment highlights the Council’s commitment to nurturing parks and green spaces that meet the diverse needs and interests of the District’s residents and visitors.
Alison said: “Love Parks Week is the perfect opportunity to celebrate all that is great about our parks and encourage residents and visitors to come along, connect with nature and explore the benefits of our outdoor spaces.
“I am looking forward to working closely with residents, community groups, volunteers and other stakeholders who are all truly passionate about our parks.
“We are always on the look-out for more people to join our teams of volunteers and make a difference by contributing time and skills to supporting the upkeep and enhancement of our wonderful parks.”
Anyone interested in volunteering at either Wyndham, Dysart or Queen Elizabeth Park, please contact Alison on alison.lewis@southkesteven.gov.uk.
Wyndham Park
The heritage and natural beauty of Wyndham Park has been enjoyed for decades and it holds a special place in the hearts of Grantham residents.
It has just retained its Green Flag status for the 12th consecutive year from Keep Britain Tidy and has also kept its Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Historic England, for the management of its historic features.
The park was created in 1924 as a World War One memorial park before being renamed in honour of Lt. Hon. William Reginald Wyndham, 1st Life Guards, who was killed in action in 1914.
His mother, Lady Leconfield, officially opened the park and where her son’s legacy lives on. The existing Memorial Shelter houses a memorial to all Grantham military personnel killed in World War One (WWI).
A £1m-plus restoration project to restore the park was completed in 2018 with the help of Lottery funding.
Improvements included construction of a Visitor Centre; refurbishment of the park’s Memorial Arch and former ticket office; and installation of interpretation boards highlighting its historical and ecological importance. Other attractions include family-friendly play areas, an urban gym and sensory garden.
In 2019 the park was awarded Centenary Field status by Fields in Trust. Working in partnership with The Royal British Legion, the programme protects and green spaces that honour the millions who lost their lives during WWI.
The park is home to the Memorial Arch, built in 1935 to remember the men who trained at nearby Belton Park, the ‘Tommy’ memorial dedicated to those who paid the ultimate price in defence of their country and the Heroes Community Orchard. The orchard covers over 3 acres and it was established to mark the 75th anniversary of South Kesteven’s role in D-Day and Arnhem.
More recently, the Witham/Slea Blue Green Corridor project has been undertaken at Wyndham Park, along the River Witham. Works include improvements to the way the River Witham flows through Wyndham Park, enhancing wetland habitats and creating a more natural, heathier river environment for people to enjoy.
To find out more about Wyndham Park go to https://tinyurl.com/ymmbumpz
Queen Elizabeth Park
Queen Elizabeth Park, alongside the River Witham through Grantham, was once privately-owned grazing land. It was purchased by the Council in 1979, named after HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, in the year of her 80th birthday and officially opened on November 20th 1980.
The park, which has Green Flag status for the third year running, boasts extensive woodland, play areas and a commemorative Diamond Grove, planted to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2012.
Sixty silver birch trees were planted in a diamond shape in the park, with a native oak planted at the heart of the grove.
More recently, the park has undergone significant improvement works as part of the Witham Slea Blue Green Corridor project.
The project aims to restore and improve the ecology of the River Witham, its riverbanks and nearby green spaces.
In Queen Elizabeth Park, a wetland area will transform low-quality, grassed habitat into a more diverse natural habitat to support aquatic species, birds and invertebrates, while a wildflower meadow will support flower-rich areas of grassland.
To find out more about Queen Elizabeth Park got https://tinyurl.com/ymmbumpz
Dysart Park
This urban park, sitting to the south of the town just off the A52 and Bridge End Road, is surrounded by residential and industrial development.
Considered as a hidden gem, Dysart Park is proudly flying its Green Flag for the second year running.
In 1908, the land on which Dysart Park stands was left to the people of Grantham in the will of Sir Lionel Williams John Manners. He was the late Earl of Dysart and specifically requested that the land should be used for recreational purposes only.
The park was originally called Houghton Road Recreation Ground but was renamed to Dysart Park in 1926.
Since then it has taken shape and features include a vast open field, traditional bandstand and buildings, well-equipped play area and wildflower meadow.
The wildflower meadow was implemented as part of the Witham Slea Blue Green Corridor Project. With the collaboration of local groups, the Council and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust transformed poor quality grassland habitat into a diverse wildflower meadow.
The meadow provides a thriving wildlife habitat providing bees, butterflies and other pollinators with food throughout the year.
To find out more about Dysart Park go to https://tinyurl.com/ymmbumpz
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