The Landscape Initiative (LI) has named the project, which received a £1.7million Parks for People grant in 2009, winner of the Heritage and Conservation category in the 2011 Landscape Institute Awards.

The Stevenage project restored the well-loved gardens that were originally designed in the 1950’s, as an integral part of the first post-war New Town in the UK.

The successful project has reversed the decline of the park and its heritage features, improving access and the safety of users through improved pathways and better lighting. An original award-winning sculpture – Women and Doves by David Norris – has been restored and a new granite footbridge – of a design unique to the UK - installed over the watercourse.

Taking care to reflect the original design and use of materials, the completed project offers the visitor revitalised parkland, a lake with fountains and a children’s play area as well as new additions; a sensory garden and public toilets.

Parks for People grants are awarded jointly by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the BIG Lottery.