Headstone Manor Park is set for a sensational £1.3 million upgrade thanks to securing the necessary funds from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and a GLA grant.
Works have already started in the park with Groundforce UK Ltd fencing off the wetland area on Monday 16th September 2019 setting up their compound at the rear of the Pinner View car park.
They are currently working on earth mounds and a circular foot path that will go all the way around the cricked club located in the park.
We spoke to Friends of Headstone Manor Park chairman Stephen Mills who has confirmed the plans are in process and going ahead. “It’s an exciting time” Says Mills, “there’s a lot going on”. The felling of a popular willow tree in the park is however an “emotive subject” according to Mills, the next meeting is on 19th November to discuss whether this will go ahead or if any alternatives are possible.
There are however plans to plant more trees in the park whether the willow tree stays or goes. There has been a big campaign to save the tree and also suggested ways that improvement could still take place without cutting it down.
An online petition to save the tree now has nearly 1,000 signatures.
The new plans for the park include new sedimentation ponds to catch run off going into the moat. This will help improve water flow and act as a filter. A new entrance to the park will be constructed on Pinner Road with a brand new “Woodland play area” with benches and equipment being re-utilised from any trees cut down within the re-development.
The wood being saved from trees to make the woodland area
The existing play area will be made smaller – new equipment will be installed for separate zones catering for different ages of children, this will include a huge 25 metre zip wire. Stephen Mills says “It will allow more space at the front for picnic area.”
The playground will be smaller, but will have new equipment including a brand new zip wire
In addition to the above changes, Stephen also tells us that –
Footpaths within the park will be replaced or repaired
Headstone Lane car park will be resurfaced and marked
The works will be finished by End 2020 (exact date TBC)
There are also talks of a flood alleviation project to help improve football pitches (However this is a separate project, they are waiting on funding confirmation from environment agency)
The works are being supported by Outdoor Learning Officer Vicky Duxbury who is employed by Thames 21, they are currently working closely with the park to maximise outdoor learning opportunities.
The plans
For the latest updates see below –
Wetland Area
Excavation works for the sedimentation ponds and reed beds continue, these are moving along well at present and the works will be ongoing for the next couple of months.
Pinner View Car Park
Works have commenced to upgrade the footpath adjacent to the Moat when completed this will link to the footpath in the Wetland area and eventually connect to the footpath in the Persimmon Homes development (Harrow West) to form part of the Green Corridor from Headstone Manor Park to Harrow Civic Centre.
Pinner View Naturalisation
A temporary bridge has been constructed over the Yeading Brook (opposite the Pinner View car park) which has allowed work to commence on the installation of the new footpath around Bessborough Cricket pitch without site vehicles having to access the park space.
Headstone Lane West Entrance
Works on the new footpath from Headstone Lane to the Children’s Playground following the route of the existing hedge will commenced today (4th November)
