Description:

CRANE Park’s £400,000 upgrade is almost complete, with Boris Johnson set to officially re-open it early 2012.

The Twickenham park was awarded the funding in 2009 after topping a public poll as part of the London Mayor’s Help a London Park project.

Richmond and Hounslow councils, which jointly own the park, have spent the last two years working alongside the London Wildlife Trust to tidy it up, improve paths and create more activities for visitors.

New gates have been installed, bridges have been given a facelift, extra bins and benches have been fitted and wildflower meadows have been created.

A play and fitness area has been built and a new outdoor classroom has been built for schoolchildren to use during the week and picnickers at weekends.

New habitats, including loggeries, dead hedges and leaf litter sculptures, have been constructed to attract wildlife, and trees have been carefully managed to improve views from both sides of the river.

The final phase of the project will see new signposts installed. Both councils will continue to maintain the park, with support from the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.

Councillor Virginia Morris, Richmond’s cabinet member for environment and planning, said: “The ideas we had from residents proved fruitful, and the funding from the mayor has meant we’ve brought in many features we would not otherwise have been able to include.

“This has all come together to make it one of the most exciting of our open spaces for families to visit.”

Following the opening, leaflets promoting the park’s new features will be produced and an outdoor education pack will be designed and made available for schools.