Consultation on major restoration plans for Duthie Park
Members of the public are being asked for their opinions on Aberdeen's historic Duthie Park as part of a bid for funding to restore and improve parts of the park.
Special exhibitions are now open at Ferryhill Library, Aberdeen Central Library and the entrance of the David Welch Winter Gardens in the park itself, to allow visitors to look at possible plans for its future development.
The exhibition at the Winter Gardens also features a Book of Memories so visitors can write down their own personal memories of the park – whether these include summer days on the boating pond, watching cricket, climbing the rose mountain or enjoying the warm environment of the Winter Gardens on a rainy day.
People are also being asked to complete separate questionnaires about how often they use the park, what they like about it and what could be improved.
These will be available from Council venues, including City libraries, as well as being available to download online.
Two public meetings will be held at Ferryhill Church on Wednesday, July 19 – the first from 2-4pm and the second from 7-9pm.
All the comments will be collated and will form a key part of Aberdeen City Council's bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for funding in the region of £5-7million to cover the cost of major improvements.
The bid will be made to Parks for the People, the Heritage Lottery Fund's latest programme, which aims to show how high quality local environments can make a real difference to people's lives and how important it is for communities to feel pride in their local area.
A Masterplan showing the vision for the Duthie Park includes a new visitor centre for the park and David Welch Winter Gardens, improvements to the lakes and ponds, the restoration of the Victorian viewing terrace above the lower lake on Riverside Drive, a multi-use games area, redesigned car parking and the restoration of the Duthie fountain.
The public consultation exercise will run until August 25 and everyone with an interest in the park is encouraged to get involved and have their say.
Presentations will also be given to local groups including community councils, Friends of Duthie Park and other interested groups.
The initial bid then has to be submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund by September.
