A Park to be Proud of
ROD WEBB
It’s easy to take some of the great things in this town for granted and not think about their long-term future. Alexandra Park is one such treasure that brings enormous pleasure to the people of the town, not least because it’s free and has something for everyone. Fortunately, it now has friends to keep an eye on it.
And here’s your chance to have your say about its future or join the re-launched Friends of Alexandra Park (FOAP) to actively participate in it. FOAP will be holding their first Annual General Meeting at the park’s greenhouse on Tuesday 12 August so there’s plenty of time to organise your diary as well as think about what its future should look like.
The park was originally called St Andrew’s Gardens when it opened in 1864, growing in increments to become the present 109 acres, stretching 2.5 miles from the town centre out to residential areas. It became Alexandra Park when formally opened by Alexandra, Princess of Wales with her husband Prince Edward in 1882.
During 1998, the lower portion of this Grade II listed park was closed for a storm drain project but, fortunately, lawns and entrances were returned to their original state after a regeneration scheme costing £3.46m. The park was officially reopened in 2004 by Charlie Dimmock (how things have changed). It received its first Green Flag Award in 2005 which it has retained ever since.
The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) who organise a weekly walk around the park (along with others in the area) describe the walk as follows: “A beautiful combination of the formally managed area and a woody patch with a series of fabulous expanses of water. Look out for kingfishers, cormorants and many, many ducks.” What better introduction than a guided walk.
The AGM will run on 12 August, 6.30pm–7.30pm at the site off St Helens Road, near the Pumphouse Café and Deli.
For more guided walks from TCV go to 123walks.org/rother-hastings
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