In amongst our ever-expanding programme of events, leisure activities and Creative Learning opportunities, we are also continually exploring projects that deliver on our charity’s mission to ‘repair, restore and maintain the Park and Palace for the recreation and enjoyment of the public forever’.
This can mean meeting immediate needs and requirements, such as constant maintenance (we are over 150 years old remember!). It also means looking forwards and considering how we can improve, and future proof, areas of the historic Park and Palace for generations to come.
Whenever we carry out long term improvement projects, we face a range of considerations. These include, but are not limited to:
- conducting research and feasibility studies, particularly in light of the listed and protected status of the Park and Palace
- public engagement to ensure any improvements meet the requirements, and can be shaped by, our community and visitors
- examining best practice and sustainable solutions
- identifying funding streams that will enable us to deliver the projects
- engaging partners and experts who can inform and support our work
We are currently exploring three improvement projects in our award-winning Park throughout 2024 and beyond. Read below for more information, including how you get involved.
THE GROVE
We have begun initial work to establish the future needs of key stakeholders and tenants, before a public engagement exercise in early 2024, that will explore potential long term improvements for The Grove (which is situated on the west side of the Park).
The objective at this stage is to generate ideas that align our charitable Mission, Purpose, Vision and Goals and the aspirations of the community.
This work is being led by experts in high impact social projects Unit38 and Studio Hyte, and will include online surveys, workshops and events. Timeline:
- December 2023 workshops with stakeholders and tenants
- January 2024 workshops with local community groups and Creative Learning groups
- February 2024 public engagement (online)
- April-June 2024 prototype events
- Summer 2024 report summarising findings and establishing next steps
BOATING LAKE & SKATE PARK
Public consultation has begun to find out more about how people currently use the Boating Lake and Skate Park, as well as your views on future improvements and potential priorities for investment. The consultation runs until February and you can have your say by completing a short survey.
CAMPSBOURNE
The south-east corner of the Park, including the Campsbourne Centre building, was identified as a strategic project in 2017. The long-standing aspiration focuses on reactivating and revitalising the south-east corner, improving east-west connectivity through to Wood Green, enhancing and improving the biodiversity of the area, alongside introducing wayfinding, signage, interpretation and visitor experience improvements.
Following community feedback, five key themes have emerged: water; wildlife enhancement and nature; amenities; community and culture; and play.
In response to the ideas proposed, in 2022, following the award of development phase funding from the Greater London Authority’s Rewild London Programme, a wetland feasibility study was carried out, focusing on the area adjacent to the Hornsey Reservoir. Work is now underway to source the necessary funding to realise the ambition of delivering a wetland scheme in Alexandra Park.
Additionally, in early 2023, the lease on the Campsbourne Building expired and since then we have been reviewing external ideas and discussions have been taking place about reactivating the building.
A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE PARK
Alexandra Park first opened in 1863 and today welcomes over three million visitors each year. It is a Local Nature Reserve, a designated Conservation Area and is Grade II listed on the Historic England ‘Register of Park & Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England’. The strategic projects detailed above run alongside our year-round maintenance, environmental and volunteer-led work.
