The planned refurbishment, to be carried out under the Parks for People programme*, has been widely supported by the local Friends Group, the Council and the wider community, and will now become a reality.

Today’s award has been made as part of an £9.3m** funding package that has been given to three of the UK’s much-loved parks by the HLF and BIG.

Wesley Kerr, Chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund’s London Committee, said: “This much-loved local park had become overwhelmed with bitty accretions over the years.  These bold development plans will enhance all the existing amenities but also restore the amazing medieval moat and island, create a series of a series of well- maintained and themed garden areas and reconnect the historic country mansion which was William Morris’s childhood home - for which the Council has exciting plans – with its historic landscape. 

“We are thrilled that Heritage Lottery Fund cash will benefit the million Londoners who already use Lloyd and Aveling Park every year and make their visits even more uplifting.”

Debbie Pippard, the Big Lottery Fund’s Head of London Region, said: “Lloyd and Aveling Park in Walthamstow is one of the area’s most beloved green spaces and is a popular stopping place for local residents and visitors alike. It already offers a great number of activities for people of all ages and interests and the lottery funding will contribute towards the necessary restoration and further development of this much-loved park that will allow it to live up to its great potential.”

Lloyd and Aveling Park is as popular with Walthamstow residents today as it was over a century ago. Once home to the artist William Morris as well as newspaper publisher Frank Lloyd, Lloyd Park was opened in 1900 with Aveling Park added in 1912. The combined 12 hectares of land provides an essential recreational space for the surrounding community and includes what is thought to be a Medieval moat and island and an original set of entrance piers and gates. HLF and BIG's £3.48m grant will be used to restore the park's historic features, revitalise the landscape and enhance the wildlife habitat. New facilities include a café, gallery and community space, with an extensive programme of skills training and educational opportunities.  

Councillor Geraldine Reardon, Waltham Forest Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, Arts and Culture, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the announcement. This success is a real testament to the hard work and ambition of everyone involved in the bid.

“Lloyd and Aveling Park provides a great place for rest, relaxation and recreation for Waltham Forest residents, and we will be making some impressive changes to ensure it is an even more popular destination for generations to come.

“With a new gallery, café, skatepark, bowling green, children’s play area, and a garden that will pay homage to the work of the great William Morris, we hope to give something more to the park’s many visitors and encourage even more to come and use this wonderful park.”

Notes to editors

* Today’s Stage Two awards are 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 Stage Two applications from these parks.  

** Three parks celebrate £9.3m. The three public parks celebrating awards today are: Hillworth Park, Devizes, Wiltshire; Lloyd and Aveling Park, Waltham Forest; Walsall Arboretum, West Midlands.

The Parks for People programme uses Lottery funds to support the regeneration, conservation and increased enjoyment of public parks. The programme aims to improve the local environment and put parks firmly back at the heart of community life. In England the two Lottery Funds have been working in partnership from 2006 to 2009 to deliver a multi-million pound investment in public parks of £150m. Over the three years, the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) has invested up to £80million (in England only) with £70m coming from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the UK.

HLF is continuing to fund public park projects in 2010 with an investment of £20m each year.  The next closing date for applications is 1 March 2010. Parks for People programme grants range from £250,000 to £5m with two rounds of funding each year.

Every completed park project will be expected to achieve the annual prestigious Green Flag Award and in doing so demonstrate quality standards of care and upkeep.

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage.  HLF has supported 33,900 projects, allocating £4.4billion across the UK. HLF has invested £525m in 500 historic public parks, gardens, squares and promenades right across the UK.

The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) rolls out close to £2million in Lottery good cause money every 24 hours, which together with other Lottery distributors means that across the UK most people are within a few miles of a Lottery-funded project. BIG, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004. BIG has invested more than £700million in wider environmental initiatives.

Out of every pound spent on a National Lottery ticket, 28p goes directly to good causes. BIG is responsible for distributing half of the money to improve communities and the lives of people most in need. HLF distributes 16.67% of the money to heritage projects across the UK.

Further information

Vicky Wilford, HLF Press Office on 020 7591 6046 / 07973 401937 or  vickyw@hlf.org.uk

Julia Sweidan, BIG Press Office on 020 7211 1818   Julia.sweidan@biglotteryfund.org.uk