The Wardown Park boating lake is set to be restored thanks to £274,000 of funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Restoration of the lake will help preserve the Wardown Park Grade II Listed landscape and the park’s cultural and historical significance.
The project aims to restore and repair the main structure of the lake. It will improve its biodiversity with the introduction of new planting and wetland habitats and the boathouse will be upgraded. There will be a focus on natural management and sustainability of the lake by taking account of the River Lea watercourse and catchment that feeds it. There will also be an extensive activity programme for park users.
Cllr Hazel Simmons MBE, portfolio holder responsible for parks and Leader of Luton Council said, “We’re delighted to receive this support thanks to National Lottery players. Wardown is one of our most loved parks. It has served the community for over 100 years and we hope the engagement programme will encourage even more visitors.
“Restoration of the park helps deliver our Luton 2040 targets which are included in the Heritage Strategy to protect and preserve heritage including the aspiration to deliver a River Lea Linear Park. I could not be more pleased that we are able to restore the lake and preserve this heritage landscape.”
The development funding will help the council progress its plans to apply for a full Heritage Fund grant of a potential £2.5m at a later date.
