What is the history of Boston Manor Park?
What is the Reconnecting Boston Manor Project?
What will this funding achieve?
Will the safety of the Park be improved?
What other activities will be taking place?
Will the Park be used for Education?
Who is delivering the project?
How have the public and Stakeholders been engaged?
What Communications will there be as the project progresses?
What is the history of Boston Manor Park?
Boston Manor Park is home to Boston Manor House, a Grade 1 listed, Jacobean manor house built in 1623. The large public park, comprising 11.36 hectares was part of the Boston Manor estate and now surrounds the House in a combination of woodland and open space, with an area adjoining the Grand Union Canal. Together the Park, River Brent and Grand Union Canal form a unique historic and ecological green space and are designated as a Conservation Area.
What is the Reconnecting Boston Manor Project?
Boston Manor Park has secured National Lottery funding of £3,634,600 to enhance, conserve, interpret and engage with diverse local communities. The project received planning approval in 2020. Works started in October and will take about 2 years. Parts of the Park will be worked on sequentially so that other parts remain safe and, where possible, open during the works – further information will be provided at each stage of the works.
What will this funding achieve?
- A new hub with learning space and modernised community café
- Landscaping and extensive refurbishment of the Park focusing on ecological enhancement works
- Lake and riverbank improvements with boardwalk
- A new nature trail path to the River Brent
- Views of the River and Canal from the Park
- Accessibility alterations including a new accessible connecting circuit path, making the Park safer to use
- Updating existing Park amenities and infrastructure; small buildings, paths, benches & bins, walls, and ironworks
- Tree planting and traditional tree management techniques
- A wide range of on-site information resources and activities
- New signage and interpretation telling the story of the park
- A Natural Park Manager and Learning and Volunteer Co-ordinator
New Learning Space and modernised community Hub
The existing café’s footprint will remain with the addition of an extension to create an education room and toilets. The whole building will be modernised inside and outside with cladding to improve its appearance and access and security.
Landscaping and extensive refurbishment of the Park focusing on ecological enhancement works
Improving the ecological value of the park is at the heart of the project and will see tree enhancement works aiming to encourage biodiversity and resilience to Climate Change. This will also increase the community’s opportunity for interaction and enjoyment of nature within the park.
Lake and riverbank improvements with boardwalk
The Lake will undergo draining, silt removal, and improvements to its banks. The Tree perimeter around the lake will be opened through selective tree removal to allow for more air and light to get into the water which will increase the water quality for ecology to survive. A viewing platform will be created for educational activities and to get closer to the water.
A new nature trail path to the River Brent
The nature trail will be rerouted through the woodland area so as to improve the access possibilities. Selective tree removal and the use of traditional woodland management techniques will regenerate the ecology. A view of the River Brent will be opened to recreate a historic vista.
Accessibility alterations including a new accessible connecting circuit path, making the Park safer to use
A new path will be created around the lower meadow area this will create a continuous circuit of path around the park. Existing paths will be improved where necessary.
Updating existing Park amenities and infrastructure; small buildings, paths, benches & bins, walls and ironworks
Park infrastructure items including boundaries and entrances will be improved as necessary. This will aim to refresh the park's network of amenities, increase the number of benches available and quality of items with a historic setting.
Tree planting and traditional tree management techniques
Selective tree removal and thinning will take place to increase the variety and ecological value of the park’s biodiversity. Tree management techniques will be used whilst applying some traditional woodland management principles in certain areas i.e. coppicing. Tree planting will also take place.
A wide range of on-site information resources and activities
An Activities plan has been prepared through the project’s consultation activities. This will enable the park to host a full programme of activities to engage with local communities. Workshops on topics such as; creative writing, poetry, storytelling, theatre, photography, local history, and nature conservation will offer local communities a chance to reconnect with their heritage and environment in a truly inspiring setting. Guided walks and talks will link the park with health and wellbeing opportunities for residents and visitors. The Park’s improved facilities will provide opportunities for outdoor learning in areas such as horticulture, nature and heritage trails, gardening, and conservation techniques. The Park will also host a Forest School programme, and an environmental programme will offer a full range of volunteering opportunities for individuals, corporates, and family activity days.
New signage and interpretation telling the story of the park
New signage will be created and installed at entrances and amenity areas. Important historical and ecological features will also be interpreted all around the park.
A Natural Park Manager and Learning and Volunteer Co-ordinator
Two new staff posts will be created to support the activities of the project. The Natural Park Manager will co-ordinate the continuous improvements to the ecology and horticulture of the park and volunteer opportunities whilst the Learning and Activities Co-ordinator will oversee opportunities to get involved in many varied activities planned within the park as outlined above.
Will the safety of the Park be improved?
Yes, community safety and heritage value will be enhanced by improved sightlines and protecting views around the park. By working with stakeholders and park users we will create positive uses of the park that encourage the community to come together to enjoy and celebrate this important open green space. Activities and opportunities offered by the project will bring cohesion and promote stewardship to current and future generations. Overall, these park improvements will provide a safe and well-maintained legacy for future years to enjoy through refreshed infrastructure, facilities, biodiversity, landscape, heritage, and community participation.
What other activities will be taking place?
The capital investment will enable the park to host a full programme of activities to engage with local communities. Workshops on topics such as; creative writing, poetry, storytelling, theatre, photography, local history, and nature conservation will offer local communities a chance to reconnect with their heritage and environment in a truly inspiring setting. Guided walks and talks will link the park with health and wellbeing opportunities for residents and visitors.
How can I get involved?
The Park’s improved facilities will also provide opportunities for outdoor learning in areas such as horticulture, nature and heritage trails, gardening, and conservation techniques. Please continue to visit the park notice boards and council website for updates. Additionally, see email contact below.
Will the Park be used for Education?
The Park will host a Forest School programme, and an environmental programme will offer a full range of volunteering opportunities for individuals, corporates, and family activity days.
What else is happening?
Arts Market
An upgraded space under the M4 flyover will host an Arts Market (funded by the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund) and other small-scale events.
Improvements to the River Brent
The section of the River Brent between the Park and Clitherowes Island will be improved through a partnership project with Thames 21/Brent Catchment Partnership funded by the GLA. This project will undertake river restoration to improve the park section of the river Brent together with opportunities for local community volunteer input. By creating a more welcoming riverside park environment by improving the quality of riverside habitats and aquatic biodiversity which will increasing the resilience of wildlife to the impacts of pollution and climate change, Through tree and river-bank scrub management to reduce shading, allow light to the channel and encourage marginal aquatic vegetation recovery, also improving access to riverside for maintenance and monitoring activities. Marginal habitat enhancement to create refugia for pollution and high flow events within Clitheroe Island, installation of large wood material and/or brash berms/coir rolls, and volunteer planting. Overall, the project will also bring an improved sense of safety and citizenship, by opening sightlines and establishing regular inclusive work activities, including an ongoing stewardship programme for riverside care and maintenance.
Who is delivering the project?
The project will be delivered by the London Borough of Hounslow who have worked extensively with a full range of expert consultants; Landscape Architects; Ecologists, Hydrologists, Arboriculturists and for the buildings Architects; Drainage Engineers, Mechanical and Electrical Engineers and Activity Planners GreenSpace360 will also be delivering aspects of the project as well as external contractors.
How have the public and Stakeholders been engaged?
We have engaged with the public through various engagement activities in the park and online and via focused groups with park stakeholders.
What Communications will there be as the project progresses?
A noticeboard has been installed in the park which shows the Masterplan of improvements and the character areas of the park for easy referral. Accompanying updates will be displayed showing the current works activities; notifications and other project activities.
Additionally:
- Information will also be available on the Council’s web site at www.hounslow.gov.uk/BostonManorPark
- Regular updates, and opportunities to volunteer, will be posted on social media platforms and the Boston Manor Park blog
- A dedicated email will be available for questions and comments about the work at the park
- Project Milestones will be celebrated
Additional Information
Planning Permission
https://planning.hounslow.gov.uk/
Enter reference numbers as below
System Reference - P/2019/3526
Planning Reference - 00133/H/S17
