The celebration event, which led by the Mayor of Lambeth and the Leader of Lambeth Council, marks the end of the long term project to restore Brockwell Park’s landscape, its heritage and community features, and sports and play facilities. The restoration work was financed by a £3.6million Heritage Lottery Fund grant through their Parks for People programme, and matched funding by Lambeth Council.

Southwark Concert Band provided the soundtrack with a 1pm performance by Brockwell Hall, which also hosted a small exhibition, while local residents could sign up for a range of volunteer opportunities in the park that include arts and culture, biodiversity, gardening and sports.

Dr. Ann Kingsbury, Chair of Brockwell Park Community Partners, which was Lambeth’s community partner in the development of the master plan said “We are delighted that Brockwell Park has been restored to its former glory for the benefit of Lambeth and Southwark residents.

This follows a long and successful partnership between BPCP, Lambeth Council and its external advisors. Local people are really enjoying the improvements and we encourage their active involvement in the future management and development of Brockwell Park,” she concluded.

Wesley Kerr, Chairman of Heritage Lottery Fund London Committee, who attended the event, said: “Four years after the Heritage Lottery Fund  awarded a £3.6million grant, it’s a  great pleasure to see the fruition of the carefully phased works to restore historic and community features in one of London’s biggest and most important public parks. The lakes, the play areas and the fabulous walled garden are among the highlights of this well-executed project and consolidate HLF’s earlier investments in Brockwell Lido and in nearby parks such as Myatt’s Field, Clapham Common, Dulwich Park and hundreds of other green spaces across the country .

This is all part of the biggest investment in parks since Victorian times. Thanks to Lottery players, we hope that hundreds of thousands of people will continue to enjoy this magnificently designed landscape, with its fine play and community growing facilities, for generations to come. We hope that Lambeth Council will maintain Brockwell to the high standards which it deserves.”

Notes to editors

Brockwell Park Restoration Project: The £6m project was financed by a £3.5m Parks for People grant, jointly supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund. Lambeth Council contributed additional matched funding. The three stage project involved preliminary negotiations and agreement of outline proposals; design of masterplan; and execution of works, which were overseen by Land Use Consultants and began in 2010.

Significant improvements have been made to the children’s playground, paddling pool and wet play area, historic walled garden and temple building, historic ponds, park paths, boundary railings and park entrances. Brockwell Hall was not part of the original Lottery application, which has been envisaged as a two-stage process.

If it had been included, the size of the bid would have taken it to national level, which the HLF advised against. Its refurbishment will require a separate major capital grant which Lambeth Council and BPCP will lead on from 2013.

Brockwell Park Community Partners (BPCP): Established in 2004, BPCP is Lambeth Council’s community partner for the Lottery restoration project in Brockwell Park. It is a registered charity and volunteer run forum that represents the views of park groups (including the Friends of Brockwell Park who are key members), local community groups and members of the public to Lambeth and other external agencies. BPCP advised on the outline proposals and design of masterplan for the park’s restoration.

Volunteers in Parks Celebration Event – Saturday 25th May 2013: Following a tour of the Park by Heritage Lottery Fund officials, the event will open at 1pm with speeches by the Mayor of Lambeth, Cllr Mark Bennett, and Leader of Lambeth Council, Cllr Lib Peck, outside Brockwell Hall and a concert by the Southwark Concert Band. There will be a small exhibition at the hall. Park groups and activities offering volunteer opportunities to local residents include: Music, Arts and Drama (MAD) for Brockwell Park, Friends of Brockwell Park, Community Greenhouses, Biodiversity projects, Dig the Park, Sports groups, Miniature Railway and Bling Ya Bike. The event concludes at around 4pm.

Parks for People grants: The Parks for People programme uses Lottery funds to support the regeneration, conservation and increased enjoyment of public parks and the conservation of cemeteries. The programme aims to improve the local environment and put parks firmly back at the heart of community life. HLF and BIG will continue to fund public park projects from FY 2013 / 2014 to FY 2015 / 2016 with a joint investment of £100m.

Further information

Brockwell Park Community Partners:n Ann Kingsbury, Chair on 07949 829 865, Derek Hoare, Vice Chair on 07770 225 239, email: brockwellparkcommunitypartners@gmail.com. Brockwell Park Community Partners' website.