Parks in the borough
PRESS RELEASE
Lottery puts a spring into plans to transform Mote
Park
Mote Park is set to receive a massive lottery
boost.
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big
Lottery Fund (BIG) announced that Mote Park is on track for a
major transformation after receiving a cash injection of £124,500
Development Grant to back its regeneration plans.
The go-ahead for Maidstone Borough Council to kick-start its
£2.5million scheme has come from HLF and BIG's 'Parks for People'
programme.
Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Brian Moss, said:
"This is exciting and welcome news. The park is a real jewel in the
heart of Maidstone used by thousands of people each year. Now that
the finance is in place Maidstone's people can look forward to
plans which allow better access and better recreational facilities
while enhancing the unique nature of this huge open space."
Mote Park is one of the largest public parks in the South East
region, with the scale and character of a country park. Its
proximity to the centre of Maidstone makes it a very popular place
for local communities to visit.
Project proposals to restore the park to its 1870s glory include
repair and conservation works. The poor condition of the lake
will be addressed, alongside works to the early 19th century
waterfall and its header pond. Plans also include a scheme to plant
about 400 new trees, replacing trees lost since WW2 due to Dutch
Elm disease, the 1987 storm, military damage during the war and
also to replace inappropriate 20th century tree planting.
Improvements will be made to modern facilities for visitors too,
with the establishment of two new local 'sub-centres' in the
northeast and southeast corners of the park providing play areas,
toilets, parking and provision for catering. Vehicle access will be
regulated to avoid the present dangerous mix of pedestrian and
vehicle traffic. Footpaths and cycle paths will be repaired and
extended, including the creation of new pathways around the lake
and bridges to replace the deteriorating causeway. There are
also plans for a new viewing/seating terrace on the lake-facing
side of the café.
The park already benefits from an active Friends Group and
project proposals include ways to create opportunities for other
people from the local community to get involved in caring for the
green oasis. There will be opportunities for park users to
have their say on the proposed plans and to volunteer to help with
park surveys, monitoring wildlife and carrying out conservation
works. This will create a great opportunity for individuals to pick
up new skills.
Chairman of the Friends of Mote Park group, Michael Yates,
echoes the views of the former Mayor, Cllr Tyrwhitt Drake in
1928.
Michael said: "Mote Park is a jewel in the crown of Maidstone.
The bid for the Park will ensure that the future of this wonderful
asset will be preserved for all the residents of Maidstone, in
perpetuity."
Head of HLF in the South East, Michelle Davies, said: "The
wonderful thing about the UK's parks is that they are as much a
part of our lives as they were for the Victorians who created
them. However, time takes its toll and many parks need a
helping hand to be restored to former glory. Today's news
will do just that, giving a boost to the transformational plans for
Mote Park so that local communities can enjoy this beautiful green
space for generations to come."
Mote Park
Mote Park is registered Grade II on
the English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and
Gardens. The history of Mote Park
goes back to the Middle Ages. It is Maidstone's largest park,
covering over 450 acres of mature parkland with a 30 acre lake,
providing a wide range of recreational activities. A great
place to walk around, exercise or just sit and watch
the swans. The park is home to Maidstone Leisure
Centre.
The leisure facilities and
activities include:
- Cafeteria
- Children's play area and skatepark
- Pitch and Putt
- Football pitches
- Rugby pitches
- Angling - Maidstone Victory Angling &
Medway Preservation
Society
- Model railway (Maidstone Model Engineering Society)
- www.maidstonemes.co.uk
- Model Boats (leased by Cygnets Model Boat Club)
- www.cygnetsmbc.com
- Maidstone Leisure Centre, call 08451 552277
- Mote Park car park is open every day from 9am.
- Many events are held in the park during spring and
summer - Race for Life, funfairs, circus and many
others. If you wish to hold an event, please contact
us on 01622 602188.
Friends of Mote Park
Friends of Mote Park is a group of local residents and
park users who support Maidstone Borough Council in looking after
the park. They are consulted on the management of the park
and they actively help by carrying out practical tasks in the
grounds. To find out more about the Friends,
please e-mail Guy Tanner at guyrtanner@gogglemail.com
What makes Mote Park
special?
Detailed account of the park's history
and development over the centuries together with a list of all
its features and characteristics of significance at
the national, regional and local level is now
availbale in the Mote Park Conservation
Plan. The research project was funded by a Heritage/BIG Lottery grant.
Brenchley Gardens
Situated
in the town centre between Maidstone East Station and Maidstone
Museum, Brenchley Gardens provide an oasis of calm in contrast
to the bustling shopping streets. The Victorian bandstand is
the venue for Sunday afternoon concerts during the summer, as well
as other events throughout the year.
There are two prominent monuments in the gardens. A decorative
pinnacle is a piece from the roof of the Houses of Parliament in
Westminster, London. It was presented to the Mayor after World
War II as Brenchley Gardens lost the Gatehouse
through being bombed. The Cenotaph War Memorial was made from
Portland Stone and designed along the lines of the Cenotaph in
Whitehall. A Remembrance Service with the
Wreath Laying ceremony is held by the "Old Comrades" every year in
September.
Maidstone Millennium River Park
This River
Park is one of the lasting legacy projects funded in part by the
National Lottery to celebrate the new millennium. New
footpaths offer improved access enhanced by the 1500 trees
planted along the route, and three nationally acclaimed footbridges
link the park to the town centre.
Just half a mile from Maidstone Town
Centre, Whatman Park lies at the heart of the Millennium River
Park. This 18 acre site combines a natural landscape of
woodland and wildflower meadow with adventure play areas,
a treetop walk, skatepark and riverstage open-air performance
arena, offering a retreat with countless activities for all the
family. The pleasure boats, Kentish Lady and Allington
Belle can stop at Whatman Park Wharf on request.
You can walk 10km (6.6 miles) along the River Medway
from Teston Country Park, which includes a picnic area, to
Allington where there is the Museum of Kent Life and Cobtree Manor
Park and Golf Course.
Penenden Heath
Peneden Heath recreation ground in north
Maidstone, is a pleasant area for sports and recreation with a grim
history.
The recreation ground is part of a larger area
of Penenden Heath. Because of its convenient location and well
drained soil, Penenden Heath had for many centuries been a site of
large gatherings: Shire ‘moots’ (assemblies) in the Middle
Ages, parliamentary elections, and public executions by burning at
the stake or hanging. As a gathering place for the local
populace or military units, it played a part in the Peasants’
Revolt of 1381, Wyatt’s Rebellion of 1554 and the Civil War (Battle
of Maidstone 1648).
In 1882, following landscaping, part of
Penenden Heath was given to the people of Maidstone by the Earl of
Romney for use as a recreation ground.
The leisure facilities and
activities include: .jpg "Penenden Heath")
Tennis courts open for ’pay and
play’
Tennis Academy – (for individual and
group private coaching sessions contact Steve Kitcher 01622
735797, www.phtennis.com)
Bowling green, open May – September,
available for ‘pay and play’
Football pitch with changing rooms
Play area
Car park and public toilets
Public footpaths lead from the Heath into the
countryside.
South Park
South Park is situated about one and a
half 
kilometres south of the town
centre. It is a
neighbourhood park designed by
Bunyards
of Maidstone and developed from
meadowland in
1929.
The park consists of three distinct
sections. There is an ornamental garden area with mature trees,
shrubs, rose borders and a lily pond as well as a bowling
green and tennis courts (fully refurbished in March
2007).
To the west of the Garden,
another section holds the skate-park "Sk8s'n'Bruises"
and all-weather hockey/football pitch. On the south side
of the park there is a car park, toilets, childrens' play area and
football pitches. It also houses Maidstone Hockey Club's
clubhouse.
Friends of South Park
Friends of South Park are a
group of local residents who meet regularly with the Council to
discuss current issues and new ideas for the park. If you wish to
join the group email parks@maidstone.gov.uk
Clare
Park
Clare Park is the first park in Maidstone to have achieved Green
Flag Status.The Green Flag award recognises the best green spaces
in England and Wales.
Clare Park is situated in the Fant area
of 
Maidstone, approximately one and a half
kilometres west of the town centre.
The park is nearly square in shape and gently
slopes southwards. It has many mature trees,
hard footpaths, public toilets and benches.
Although fairly small, it holds numerous facilities and is an
ideal place to take a gentle stroll or to sit and enjoy a
picnic. There are conservation areas in the park which provide
habitats for wildlife.
A benefactor to the town, Sir Edward Sharp, founder of Sharp's
Toffees, gave Clare Park to the people of Maidstone in 1923. It was
named after his wife and a drinking fountain by the main gate
commemorates the event.
Recent improvements include new black metal palisade
fencing, a new multi games area for basketball,
netball, football and the refurbishment of the tennis
courts.
Facilities
- 2 Tennis Courts - open all year for 'pay and play',
or book 7 days in advance with the groundsman.
Childrens Play Area - 2 swings, 3 toddlers' swings, 2 slides and
apparatus, a springer and a spider climb.
Multi-use Games Area - open all year round.
Bowls Club
The park is the home of the Clare Park Bowls Club which is open
from May until September. Non-members can book 'pay and play'.
For more information, please call the Secretary, Mr
Lester on 01622 717511.
Friends of Clare Park
This is a group of residents and park users concerned about
their local green space. They advise the Council on the management
of the park and organise events in the park for the local
community. If you would like to join the Friends, please email
Julia Brundish on jbrundish@sky.com.
Visit the Green Flag
web-site http://www.greenflagaward.org.uk/