Work starts to restore rose garden

Work has started to restore and improve the Rose and Coronation Gardens in Preston Park, in a bid to have them looking blooming lovely by the summer!

The improvements are being made as part of the Preston Park Conservation Management Plan, developed by consultants, in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council’s Cityparks team and the Friends of Preston Park.

Work in the Rose Gardens will include redesigning and planting the herbaceous borders and installing heritage benches to the bays.

The Coronation Garden project will see wild flowers and meadow grass re-instated, views into the parkland opened up, trees highlighted and brick structures repaired.

Work has already started to reduce the height of hedges in the rose garden borders and clear the beds. Weed infested soil is also being removed and replaced, ready for replanting.

Work to prepare the Coronation Garden for wildflower planting will start soon. The plants have been chosen to be wildlife friendly and increase biodiversity. The existing handrails will also be removed, and new pathways created. Fencing will be installed around the famous twin elms.

The work is being funded by section 106 developer contributions and is due to be completed by the end of the summer.

The two restoration schemes were the subject of a public vote last year when  250 park goers were asked which project should be started first.

The results were very close with the Rose Garden winning by just six votes. However, the council has funding to progress both schemes, so work is starting on both projects.

Cllr Gill Mitchell, chair of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee welcomed the start of work. “These two exciting restoration projects mark a change in the way we are managing our parks and open spaces.

“The new beds have been designed with natural, low maintenance wildflower planting which will increase biodiversity and encourage wildlife.

“I’m sure they will be a lovely addition to the park and I’m looking forward to see the gardens bloom this summer.”