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Case study

Wellington Park Restoration

Applicant: Taunton Deane Borough Council
Location: Wellington, Somerset, South West
Grant awarded: £296,500
Total project cost: £412,827
Grant programme: Public Parks Initiative
Type of heritage: Designed landscape

Aims of the project
To restore Wellington Park on the basis of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) funded Historic Landscape Survey and Restoration Plan for the park. To promote the use of the park for music and arts events.

Background to the project
Wellington Park is a popular small park linking the centre of Wellington to the surrounding countryside. It was given to the people of Wellington by the town’s major manufacturing firm, Messrs Fox Bros and Co Ltd, in 1903 and is one of the best examples of the work of the park designer FW Meyer, who worked for the Exeter firm of Robert Veitch and Sons. It is listed Grade II on the English Heritage Register.

The main features of the original layout were a broad gravel terrace bordered by an avenue of beech trees. At the end of this vista was a covered drinking fountain. Meyer contrasted the formality of this area with the natural appearance of the rest of the park, which was crossed by winding paths. He created a small valley with a rock garden including a waterfall and lake. The landscape was ornamented with several buildings including a lodge and bandstand. Although much of the park’s original design and fabric survived throughout the 20th century, it suffered from general deterioration, lack of maintenance and the loss of some of its features, such as the ornamental fountain.

The local authority’s leisure strategy highlighted the restoration of Wellington Park and Vivary Park, Taunton, as a regional priority. Proposals to restore Wellington Park had strong local support: public consultation revealed a great appreciation of this park within the community and an ‘open’ letter supporting the Lottery bid was signed by 350 people.

What did the project involve?
The original layout of the park was restored on the basis of archival and field evidence. Park buildings and structures, including the bandstand, were restored and the fountain was re-created. The tree canopy was thinned and the over-mature shrubberies rejuvenated. Park furniture was improved and gravel path surfaces reinstated. A new concealed water supply was installed in the rock garden, and the planting was restored in accordance with Meyer’s plans.

The existing toilet block was demolished and a new one constructed to designs based on original park buildings. Planting was historically accurate, while taking into account the needs of disabled users. For example, the fronts of flower borders now include scented or tactile plants for the enjoyment of visually impaired visitors. Signs at the park entrances were renewed and improved.

What difference did the project make?
This was a relatively low-cost park restoration scheme that has brought benefits for people of all ages in Wellington. As a result of the project, the Friends of Wellington Park group was formed. The Friends now run a summer events programme in the park, which has become a popular local venue. The restoration of the bandstand has enabled a wider range of events to be put on and encouraged new organisations to participate.

Attention to overgrown shrubbery areas has created better visibility and improved security. The park is generally more accessible to disabled users, for example the original raised brick edge which has been restored around the entire path network serves cane users as a tapping strip.

Before this project, the park, which is on the outskirts of the town, was little known to many local residents. Publicity generated by the project, together with better signage, have made people much more aware of what it has to offer. In 2003 Wellington Park won a Green Flag Award for high-quality provision in parks and was included by the Independent newspaper in a survey of Britain’s 50 best parks.

How did the project meet our criteria?
The project met our Public Parks Initiative criteria because it set out to:

conserve and enhance a historic park;

encourage more people to get involved in their heritage and make decisions about it;

make sure that everyone can learn about, have access to and enjoy their heritage;

include heritage conservation as part of urban regeneration; and

open up a heritage site to the widest possible audience

FEEDBACK

‘Following the restoration of the park, the Friends of Wellington Park Group was formed and has organised summer Sunday musical afternoons and activities for children alongside various events held during the year on behalf of the Wellington community.’
Pauline Sturgess, Chairman, Friends of Wellington Park

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