groups logo

Restoration Progress
  go to home page  
     
  go to restoration progress  
   
  go to information about what is going on in the park  
   
go to events page
  go to information about our group  
   
  go to information about the history of the park  
   
  go to information for groups involved with the park  
   
go to social history project
  go to copies of our latest newsletters about the park  
go to our contact us page
 
graphic of tree and park bench
 
Webhosting for this site is provided by:
HostPapa
 
Project Manager's Restoration Update

The next major phase of works in Dartmouth Park will commence in the spring.

The work is currently out to tender but a contractor will be appointed this month to undertake the estimated £1.6 million contract.  This phase will include a host of works such as improvements to the footpath network, transforming the depot area into a car park, turning the former bowling green into a picnic area, improving both the upper and lower pools with new fishing platforms and a large landing stage, and demolishing the toilet block in the Reform Street car park to allow for re-aligning the boundary wall to make it part of the Park. New flower beds will be in place in the Avenue ready for summer bedding and the water play feature in the children’s play area should be installed ready for the summer holidays.

As I’m sure you can appreciate there may be some disruption in Dartmouth Park throughout the duration of this construction phase, which will last approximately 12 months.  We will do everything possible to minimise these disruptions but your patience during this time would be greatly appreciated.  I’m confident that once this phase is complete the park will be well on the way to becoming a premier park for the Borough of Sandwell and beyond. John R Satchwell

New Pavilion is looking good

The eco-friendly building has been designed by local architects Bryant Priest Newman, and is central to the restoration of the park and will give the much needed facilities it has lacked over the past decades. The pavilion contract was awarded to J Harper & Sons, who are a local firm based in Sandwell.

It will have an office for the Park Manager and Park Ranger, a small cafe, events room, area to display exhibitions and best of all public toilets. There will be a walkway to the top of the building which will be a vantage point to view the park and the Sandwell Valley.

Security was the one of the first priorities for the restoration of the park and the new pavilion. This is being addressed with a security system and CCTV cameras on the pavilion and in the Avenue.

The building is due to be completed by the end of 2011 at a cost of £900K, and will be opened in the Spring.

Cafe Washing facilities
Events Room Terrace
View from viewing area Green Roof

 

Children's Play Area

Work on installing exciting new play equipment in the children's play area is now complete. The photographs show a small selection of what is on offer for children of all ages.
 

 

Sensory Garden Update

The plans are now completed for the Sensory Garden. We are pleased with the overall plans featured below and displayed on the park noticeboards. We are particularly pleased with the pergola which includes all the elements we requested. When completed this will be a space to sit under a canopy of plants.

The application for funding has now gone to Groundwork UK who will give us an answer regarding the grant in
mid April.

We are pleased to announce that in addition to the main Sensory Garden we have approval to create a Jubilee Rose Bed. Watch this space for news on progress.