Latest phase of Vale Park revamp nears completion
Archived press release
Date Published: 19/05/10
The latest phase of a scheme to transform Aylesbury’s Vale Park is due to be completed this month.
A formal garden is being created near the new park entrance on the High Street to help improve the appearance of the area and make it more attractive to local residents and visitors alike.
The work will see a total of 1,850 plants including herbaceous perennials and shrubs planted to add further colour to the park.
The planted beds are divided up by hedge-rows to create a backdrop for the floral display. Nearly 20 plant varieties will be used including cornus, crocosmia and geranium.
Aylesbury Vale District Council has made a number of improvements to Vale Park over the past five years. The first phase of the revamp was carried out in 2005 with the creation of a new children’s play area and a footpath onto Park Street.
Work on the sports zone, the second phase of the redevelopment project, was completed in 2006. This area of the park has a grass bowling green, two hard surface tennis courts and a multi-sports area suitable for football and basketball.
Last year a new entrance and central avenue were officially opened by AVDC’s Chairman, Councillor Janet Blake, and liquidamber trees planted. This work was funded by section 106 contributions from nearby housing developments
Further phases will be subject to funding being secured. As funding becomes available, the green spaces team plan to install lighting along the main routes, renovate the railings and brick piers along the High Street and make improvements to the Bear Brook.
Councillor David Thompson, Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: “We are grateful to all of those who will visit Vale Park during the redevelopment works for their patience. The green spaces team have worked extremely hard to give the park a new look which I’m sure all residents of the Vale will really appreciate. Hopefully these improvements will encourage people to come along and see for themselves all the new features that are now there for them to enjoy.”
Vale Park was created in the 1920s but its use actually dates back to the 1800s with elements of the earlier landscape, such as the rare black poplar trees, still there today.
The park has been awarded a Green Flag, the national standard for parks and green spaces, for the past two years. Winners are judged to be welcoming and well maintained, with the support and involvement of the local community.
For more details about the Vale Park project, visit the council’s website at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/valepark or call 01296 585210.