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| Lune Bank Gardens, 1905 |
Skerton-based Friends of Lune Bank Gardens group want to know what local people think about their ideas for bring the Gardens back into use after years of neglect. The group are holding a consultation exercise during May and are holding an Open Day at the John O’Gaunt Rowing Club boathouse on Halton Road in Skerton on Saturday 21st May from 11.00am to 3.00pm.
Plans to bring the neglected public park back to its former glory were announced last September by the Friends of Lune Bank Gardens. They’ve been working over the last nine months with local community interest company LESS, funded by the Heritage Lottery, to develop a plan for the restoration of the Gardens which were laid out as a formal promenade along the north bank of the River Lune in 1905 on land given to the town by Lord Ashton.
Flanking Halton Road for about 400 metres, the Gardens – tended to by a permanent gardener – were enjoyed by many as a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the roadside, to take in the scenery on the seating provided, and to enjoy a spot of fishing.
It became a tranquil place for residents living nearby, but after World War Two there was no permanent gardener and the gardens suffered from vandalism. The roadside hedge was removed and the upper walk made into a path with a grass verge only.
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| Volunteers at work restoring the Gardens |
“As well as making plans for the Gardens we have been doing some clearing of the overgrown walkway along the river to make access easier,” says LESS project worker Chris Coates. “We have delivered 500 leaflets to local residents in the area to get their views on the project.”
• The consultation runs until the end of May. If you can’t make it to the Open Day on Saturday and want to comment on the proposals you can give your views on the Lancaster City Council website: www.lancaster.gov.uk/parks-and-open-spaces/lune-bank-gardens. The questionnaire closing date is 30 May 2016. View it online atwww.surveymonkey.com/r/Lunebankgardens
• There’s a location plan of the gardens here (PDF, 588KB) which you should take a few minutes to look at the plan before you complete the online questionnaire