Popular park set to get £1.5 million facelift

A POPULAR Croydon Park is set to undergo a major facelift after receiving a £1.5 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

- By HARRISON GALLIVEN Local democracy reporter

The funding will bring major improvements to Ashburton Park in Addiscombe, which some locals say has started to feel 'run down.' It will also be used to address long-running issues like the derelict tea kiosk with its collapsed roof.

In its place, a new bandstand will be built alongside improvements to lighting, pathways, and the creation of a community garden. The park’s persistent flooding problems will also be tackled with upgrades to the historic wetland area, ensuring the space is not only restored but also enhanced for future generations.

The funding follows a successful bid in 2023, which secured £300,000 for developing plans to upgrade the park ahead of its 100th anniversary. The plans were shaped through feedback from the local community, with the Friends of Ashburton Park and the Oasis community hub playing key roles in workshops and events.