Dartmouth Park Restoration
The Client
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
The Background
CFP were commissioned as part of a wider consultancy team to develop a stage 2 bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Parks for People grant programme for Dartmouth Park.
Dartmouth Park lies at the southern end of Sandwell Valley on the outskirts of West Bromwich town centre and extends to 62.7 hectares. It is bounded by the Expressway to the south; separating the Park from the town. Lack of attention to Dartmouth Park’s heritage importance and several acts of vandalism and arson in the past, including an arson attack which led to the original Victorian Pavilion being demolished, mean that the Park is failing to realise its potential as a heritage asset or in the number and diversity of visitors which it attracts.
The Objective
CFP took a leading role in engaging with the local community in identifying issues of concern relating to the restoration of Dartmouth Park and feeding these in to the planning process, including the siting of the new pavilion and prioritisation of the works. CFP were also responsible for developing the Audience Development Plan and 10 Year Management and Maintenance Plan.
CFP also provided critical support to enable the establishment of a Friends group for the park
Just add CFP
Despite this being a stage 2 application there were some fundamental holes in the original documents submitted as part of the stage 1 bid. CFP engaged in a lengthy community consultation and engagement process to ensure a thorough stage 2 bid went in.
A considerable promotional campaign was created and delivered by CFP to raise awareness of the project and encourage ownership of the park. This included a monthly newsletter/e-zine, monthly press releases and attendance of Friends meetings.
The Result
Sandwell MBC were successful in securing £4.4 million from HLF towards the £6.6 million restoration of Dartmouth Park.
The Friends of Dartmouth Park have continued to go from strength to strength and now put on events, raise funds and are working with local schools to develop the educational potential of the park.