Friends vow to fight on for Fulham park
The recently formed friends of South Friend say they will keep campaigning for the park's future, despite losing out on a grant of £400,000 from London Mayor Boris Johnson.
The park was one of nine finalists in the Mayor's Help A London Park competition, which invited people across the city to vote for their local park.
A total of 3,202 people registered their votes for South Park, but this placed it third in the North West section behind Ealing's Brent River Park and Little Wormwood Scrubs, both of which had over 4,000 votes.
Anthony Williams, Chairman of the Friends of South Park, says: " Although we are disappointed that South Park's very impressive number of votes was not sufficient to obtain a grant, we are gratified by the extent of support for the park and this is very encouraging for the future."
The Friends of South Park held its launch AGM earlier this year, and a committee was formed to fight for the regeneration of what it calls Fulham's Cinderella park.
Some improvements have been made recently, including the removal of derelict beds and the restoration of tennis cours, but the group's hopes for the park, which was opened 105 years ago this month, include renovation of the perimeter walls and railings, improvement or replacement of the near-derelict pavilion and toilets, creation of an educational horticultural area and a professionally run cafe.
The Friends of South Park and PRARA, the local residents' association, are aiming to ensure these elements are included in a master plan for the park, which is currently in the works from Hammersmith and Fulham Council, with a consultant expected to be named in the near future.
Says Anthony: " We shall now have to work even harder to ensure the regeneration programme is achieved."
March 9, 2009
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