Thousands of plants being planted in Barking Park
More than 40,000 plants are now being planted in Barking Park as part of a major restoration project.
The plants were delivered to the council’s former nursery site at Central Park, Dagenham, in 2010 and are now ready to be planted out in the park.
They will be placed in the Victorian Shrubbery, as well as in the rest of the green space, and be made up of species that were typical when the park was opened in the late 19th century.
The renovation of Barking Park is joint funded by a �3,254,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund plus funding from the council.
The rest of the work is progressing well, said a council spokesman, and once completed later in the year the park will boast a new caf�, visitors’ centre, children’s play area and public toilets.
The derelict lido will be brought back into use as a wet play area. New boating facilities will also be built and 50 seats installed across the park.
Cllr Bert Collins, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport, said: “The new planting is a key part of the Barking Park renovation so it’s great to see the new plants going in the ground.
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“We were keen to reflect the Victorian heritage of Barking Park, so the species have been carefully chosen.
“The final effect will be similar to what people would have seen when they visited the park more than 110 years ago.”
