Maidstone celebrates £2.5 million Mote Park

restoration

Mote Park’s £2.5 million restoration is complete.  The Mayor of Maidstone, Councillor Rodd Neslon-Gracie will formally open the park during a special day of celebrations on Sunday June 24.

Improvements have included – new paths, restoration of parkland, 100 new trees, car park improvements, new bridges, restoring the 1840s waterfall, visitor hubs at Willington Street and School Lane with car parks and play areas, and restoring the neoclassical Volunteers Pavilion dating from the 1800s.

Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services, John A Wilson said: “This is the largest investment in Mote Park since the council purchased it for £50,000 in 1927.  The park is magnificent.  We have reinstated the splendour of the former parkland, restoring historic views, the pavilion, waterfall and bridges.  Maidstone people are rightly proud of their Mote Park.  The restoration work and the many new features make visits even more memorable and enjoyable.”

The Kent Kite festival will be held on the day with national champions taking part in kite flying displays and special kite making classes, with free kite kits for children.

There will be a funfair and special appearances by Peppa Pig and George.
Other attractions at the free event will include face painting, arts and crafts and live youth band performances.

The Mote Park restoration project was awarded £1.8 million from the The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) under their Parks for People scheme.  The total cost of the improvement project is £2.5 million.