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Home Page > Environment > Parks & Open Spaces > Parks in the borough

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.                         

   

Mote ParkThe 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.

 

Heritage Lottery Fund

 

 

 


 

Brenchley Gardens

 

Brenchley GardensSituated 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

 

Whatman ParkThis 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: 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      South Park

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                Clare Park

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.

 

Green Flag

 

Visit the Green Flag

web-site  http://www.greenflagaward.org.uk/