The money will help fund the following improvements to restore and renew Harlow Town Park:

• Conservation of Spurriers House including turning the ground floor into a new café
• Improvements and repairs to Pets' Corner including a new covered events shelter and a stand alone education centre
• Improvements and upgrades to the bandstand
• Restoration and conservation of the Water Gardens
• Conversion of the Greyhound Toilets into a new information and interpretation point
• Across the park renewed and new pathways, seating, viewing points and improved signage
• Horticultural improvements and restoration of various garden and wooded areas across the park

Councillor Tony Durcan, Harlow Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration & Enterprise said: "We’re delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund have given us this grant. The Town Park and its facilities are widely recognised as the town's jewel in the crown and Harlow Council is committed to conserving, restoring and enhancing this wonderful 20th-century park. This grant enables us to restore and renew the park to its former glory so that it meets the needs of the 21st-century residents of Harlow and beyond. Residents have been involved in developing these plans from the start and with this funding we can now bring the plans to life. I would like to thank our partners and supporters who backed our funding bid."

Carole Souter, Chief Executive of HLF, said on behalf of HLF and BIG: "We're delighted to be bringing a bit of seasonal cheer to a number of popular parks, including Harlow Town Park, especially as demand for funding continues to be very high. It's been a tough year for those caring for our public parks but HLF and BIG's commitment to this important part of the UK's heritage is unwavering.

"Parks enrich millions of people's lives on a daily basis – providing room to relax and reflect – and it's vital that we continue to value and protect them not just for ourselves but for the next generation too."

The remaining £1m for the Town Park restoration project will come from various sources including Harlow Council, Growth Areas Funding, Section 106 planning contributions and match funding through volunteer time.

Notes to editors

Today’s second-round pass award is from the Parks for People programme which has a two-stage or two-round application process. The full grant has now been awarded following a successful second-round application.

The Parks for People programme uses Lottery funds to support the regeneration, conservation and increased enjoyment of public parks and the conservation of cemeteries. The programme aims to improve the local environment and put parks firmly back at the heart of community life. HLF and BIG will continue to fund public park projects from FY 2013 / 2014 to FY 2015 / 2016 with a joint investment of £100m.

HLF is continuing to fund public park projects in 2012 / 13 with an investment of £24m. The next closing date for applications is 28 February 2013. The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) remains committed to working in partnership with the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in making a success of the Parks for People programme with an allocation of £5m in 2012 / 13.

Since 1994, HLF has awarded a total of £640m to over 700 public parks across the UK

The Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery Good Causes distributors, has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004. It was established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.

Harlow Council is a district council in Essex, providing public services to the local community. The council provides a number of statutory and discretionary services including housing, community safety, leisure and cultural services, environmental health, street scene and environment, planning, building control, revenue and benefits, electoral services, property and facilities management, regeneration and economic development.

Further information

Harlow Town Council: Niel Churchill on 01279 446 710, email: niel.churchill@harlow.gov.uk.