Maidstone Borough Council 7 Local firm wins contract


Gallagher, one of Kent’s best known building contractors, is the main contractor for the Mote Park Regeneration Project.


Mote Park Improvement Project


Volunteering at Mote Park is a great way to get some exercise and feel part of the next phase in the park’s history. Many people have already helped out. Here Maidstone council’s, Karen Jeal, describes her experience.


I signed up for half a day’s work in September. It was a sunny, but slightly crisp morning. But this wasn’t to last once the hard work started.


I donned my wellies and had a spade, rake and wheel- barrow at the ready. I wanted to do my bit to restore the park and give something back to the community.


There were about eight of us altogether.


We met outside the café, then as a group headed to the natural play area by the Willington Street entrance. Along the way, Alan Frith, who heads up the volunteers, gave us all the information we could possibly want to know about the improvement works, how we can get involved in the future and what we were going to be helping with on the day.


When we arrived at the newly-built play area there were piles and piles of woodchip. Our job was to rake this out around the play equipment. We also helped create woodchip pathways.


It was not an easy job, but nonetheless felt really worthwhile, working as a team to get the job done. Once finished it was a great feeling to stand back and take in the difference we had made to the park. I will definitely be helping out again.


Helping out in the park


Volunteers can help with all aspects of the Mote Park improvement project. There are lots of opportunities, including helping at community events, as park wardens, stewarding undertaking habitat surveys and running an arts and crafts stall.


If you would like to join the volunteering team or if you would like


Water Sports Centre Opening times


April - September, 7 days a week from 9am to 7pm.


October – March 7 days a week from 9am – 5pm.


information on any activities in Mote Park, please contact Alan Frith on 01622 602119 or email alanfrith@maidstone.gov.uk


Further details can also be found on the Mote Park Improvement Project website http://motepark.maidstone.gov.uk


Mote Park has a new water sports centre for sailing, canoeing and rowing.


It offers one-off days out, courses, taster sessions, one-to-one tuition, birthday parties and youth and school group bookings.


All the activities are suitable for eight year olds and over. Water sports enthusiasts can hire or use their own equipment.


There is an extensive youth programme for ages 8 to 16, including school holiday programs and youth nights.


Timeline of events


The park is one of the largest in the South East of England, with the scale and character of a country park.


Its proximity to the centre of Maidstone makes it a very popular place for local people as well as others from much further away. The regeneration project has won funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) under their Parks for People scheme. Improvements have or will include:


 Formalising inner and outer path circuits.


 Main car park improvements - marking and planting shrubs and trees.


 Improving the Boat House Area - installing a hard surface promenade area with new seating, tree planting and a new model boat platform.


 Refurbishing the refreshment kiosk.  Restoring the 1840s waterfall.  Restoring the neoclassical Volunteers Pavilion dating from the 1800s.  Replacing the ramp and small bridge across the lake with a new 20m span timber and steel bridge.  Improving access from Willington Street with car parking and a natural play area for teenagers, and from School Lane with improved parking, a separate pedestrian access and relocating the play area.


Meet the team


A public meeting will be held at Maidstone Leisure Centre on Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 7pm. It will be an opportunity to meet the council and contractor’s teams, to discuss the plans and timings of the work.


www.maidstonesdream.co.uk


2007 - Heritage Lottery Fund gives a grant of £50,000 for the council to prepare the first stage of the lottery bid.


September 2008 - Stage one of the application submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund Parks for People Scheme.


July 2009 – A grant of £124,900 awarded.


July 2010 – A second stage application submitted following consultation with parks users and potential users.


September 2010 – A grant of £1,897,680 awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The total project cost is set at £2,672,331 including a 25% contribution from the council.


October 2010 - Tender documents produced for forestry and main contracts.


November 2010 – Alan Frith, Audience Development Manager, appointed.


Autumn 2011 - Work begins in Mote Park, including construction of paths and the causeway over the lake.


Winter 2011 – Main car park construction, Volunteers Pavilion, kiosk refurbishment, lake overflow remodeling, boat house boulevard improvements, improvement to café area and new School Lane and Willington Street visitor centres.


Spring 2012 – Restoration of historic waterfall, installation of new bins, benches, signage and cycle stands, and tree planting


Summer 2012 –Work due to be completed.


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