£560k to improve the park

PLANS drawn up for a £560,000 Memorial Park makeover have finally. been revealed by the city council.  They include new public loos, CCTV and a £125,000 lighting system. Refurbished changing rooms and a £5,000 cycle path also form part of the long-awaited project. The plans, thrashed out after months of talks with the Memorial Park Working Group, are likely to be given the green light by the Executive.

But the three-year project is already under way, with a £150,000 interactive play park due to open next month. The council hopes to have the £50,000 toilet block installed by the end of the year, with the dated CCTV replaced by two dome-shaped cameras at a cost of £60,000. New lighting will be last in line. The old tennis pavilion has already been demolished and will be replaced by a seating area. It has also been suggested charges be introduced in the park’s free car park.

The council has put up £500,000 for the project, with a £50,000 grant for the play park and £10,000 from developers covering the rest. Bay councillor Peter Lee said:

“While we’re strapped for cash in the revenue budget, we felt it was important to push forward with our capital projects and not put long- term developments at risk. The work we’re doing in the Memorial Park is essential for the regeneration of Herne Bay. I hope people will be very pleased as what we’re doing fits the criteria of what they have said is important. We’ll continue to develop the plan over the next year to try and provide the best for them.”