In the shadows of the iconic Battersea Power Station, and on the banks of the River Thames, is Battersea Park. Once a Victorian playground and site of the Festival of Britain, it suffered neglect under the ‘management’ of the Greater London Council but now, with Wandsworth Borough Council in control, it has been restored to its former glory
Inset and main image: Battersea Power Station overlooks the refurbished park
B
attersea Park is an excellent example of a 19th century municipal park. Created between 1854 and 1858 by James Pennethorne and John Gibson, it incorporated lakes, carriageways and central avenues and is considered a prime example of Victorian design. It is a Grade II Registered Park and, therefore, of historical importance. The subtropical gardens, created by John Gibson in 1863-4, were one of the first of its kind. Gibson mixed exotic plants and colourful carpet bedding that started a fashion of Victorian bedding scheme design. The embankment, created by using spoil from Victoria dock in 1861, provides visitors with fabulous walks along the River Thames with views of Victorian villa type houses set in a conservation area. During World War 1 vegetables were
grown on allotments in the park and anti-aircraft guns were set up on the croquet lawn. In World War 2 the allotments and guns returned along with a pig club - a community pig farming project to provide meat during rationing - an experimental radio station, barrage balloon site and children’s nursery. The park was chosen for the site of the
Festival of Britain Festival Gardens in 1951. Designed as a showcase of modernity and innovation, it was a welcome bout of optimism after the depressing post war years. The funfair, built at the same time as the Festival Gardens, were only meant to stay for one year but remained open until 1974.
14 The Grand Vista, designed by John
Piper and Osbert Lancaster, still remains. Appreciated as a green space, or the
‘green lungs’ of South London, its value to the local residents, and to visitors from much further afield, is immeasurable. It is one of a few London parks that actively encourages cycling and go- carting, both of which can be hired by the hour inside the park. In addition, the Thrive garden, a community led project, encourages individuals to connect with horticulture at a personal level. The Peace Pagoda was the first major monument in central London to be dedicated to peace and adds an element of cultural diversity to the park. Battersea Park is used as an educational resource for schools and other establishments, allowing groups to study and observe wildlife and be actively involved with conservation and ecology. It has a fine collection of mature trees, including the tallest recorded black walnut tree in the UK, and the largest hybrid buckeye tree in height and girth. It is also renowned for its exceptionally fine examples of maidenhair trees, Chinese thuja, black Italian poplar, Italian alder, white beam, Kentucky coffee tree, red horse chestnuts, narrow leaf ash, Chinese privet and foxglove trees.
Decline and Restoration
When managed by the Greater London Council (GLC), the park suffered from a
lack of investment and became run down, with many areas looking tired and neglected. The GLC was abolished in 1986 and direct control was handed to Wandsworth Borough Council. Recognising the historical importance of the park the council made a submission to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and funding of £6.9 million was announced in May 1998, with ‘match’ funding from the Council of £3.9 million. During the life of the project changes to the scope of works were made with the HLF’s consent and, in January 2003, Wandsworth Borough Council (WBC) successfully applied for a grant increase and were awarded an additional £600,000 bringing the total HLF funding to £7.5 million. The bid relating to the initial
proposals was placed by land based consultants. This focused primarily on the restoration of the 19th century landscape, however, it was thrown out on heritage values. The second proposal, submitted by Hilary Taylor Landscape Associates, included the Festival Gardens within the restoration plan, in addition
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