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• A facelift for Higginson Park boosts business

• Date:

  12th December 2006

• Contact:

  Sarah Egerton

• Organisation:

  The Civic Trust

The Green Flag Award scheme has been used to secure council funding of a popular green space in Marlow, subsequently boosting local business.

In 2003, members asked officers at Wycombe District Council (WDC) if they were aware of any projects that if funded, would bring significant tangible benefits to a community within the district.

At the time, a consultation of users to Higginson Park had been carried out, showing that although satisfaction with management and maintenance was very high, at 98%, the park was looking a bit worn and tired with clear issues to be addressed concerning general wear and tear - a result of its huge popularity with the public generating almost a million visitors per year.

The management plan for Higginson Park was also in the process of being written, with a view to applying for a Green Flag Award in 2004 and lots of ideas were being put forward on how the embattled park could be improved.

The Council’s Leisure Service invited the Cabinet member to the popular park in the summer of 2003 to explain these issues, and a proposal was then taken to the Cabinet for discussion. Approval and a budget were rubber stamped in January 2004, just as the first Green Flag Award application was being sent off, a clear sign of confidence in the park.

Councillor David Carroll, Cabinet Member for Community, commented: “The funding came from sales of council assets such as land for industrial or housing development, not local taxation, and is just one example of the commitment shown by the Council to the users of this extremely popular park, the heart of the community in Marlow.”

In total, over £160,000 has been spent on essential maintenance and improvements to the infrastructure of the park during the last five years, part of which is a grade 2 listed house, the 1758 built Court Garden, and a walled garden complex that needs regular care. In addition, a total of £135,000 had been raised by local residents and businesses in 2000 and 2002 for a Millennium maze and a statue to Olympic hero Sir Steven Redgrave, who grew up and still lives in Marlow.

The Green Flag Award gained in 2004 provided the impetus for more funding from the council to provide a new cafe, public toilets, landscaping improvements and a brand new play area.

Councillor Carroll continues: “We won a Green Flag Award in the first year and the score was much higher in the following year as we were investing in the park all that time. This year, we produced a very high score of 80+ and there is no reason why we can’t raise it again next year!”

Now, the enhancement project is well underway, comprising a £50k priming budget to undertake survey works and £750,000 to carry out the improvements.

The new play area was installed earlier this autumn and opened at October half-term with great fanfare and parents turned up en masse with their children. The Chairman of the Council, Councillor Jean Teesdale, the Mayor of Marlow Councillor Richard Scott and Councillor David Carroll, Cabinet Member for Community, were on hand with red ribbon and shiny new scissors to declare the play area open.

This has in turn had a noticeable economic impact on the nearby High Street businesses, who are reporting an immediate and sustained increase in trade.

Consultation has taken place at every major stage of improvements with town and district members, interested groups like the Marlow Society, Chamber of Trade and business Forum, and of course the public.

Next spring, the new cafe and toilets will be built along with new planting and pathways to cope with the annual footfall. The project should be completed in time for the Marlow Town Regatta and Festival in June, when 20,000 people arrive over two days to watch the rowing races, dragon boats and concerts.

WDCS Area Parks Manager, Neil Coleman, commented: “Feedback has been very positive, far better than we ever expected.” The Town Council and local Chamber of Trade have both reported significant optimism and an increase in spending since the project started.”

Cllr Carroll agrees:” There is more to successful park investment than just sinking lottery money into target areas for short term gains. Investment by the local community in their local park is more than just money, but something has to provide the catalyst. If you get it right, the ball just rolls and rolls. For instance, a recent charity walk on a Sunday in the park raised £65k!”

This particular project is all about protecting the park from its’ own popularity, with a million annual visitors wearing the place out and making it look worn and tired. A fresh injection of funds for new facilities, including this fantastic £200,000 new play area, is doing the trick.

Neil Coleman concludes: “The Green Flag Award for Higginson Park went down terrifically well. And of course it means that when we ask for money in the future, we’re even more likely to get it! We’ve also carried out assessments of our other major parks within the district using the Green Flag Award criteria and plan to enter some of them into the scheme in the future.”