A PROJECT to restore the historic Highfields Park has moved a step closer.
Nottingham City Council has received initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund for its plans to restore and improve the park.
The project aims to fully restore the park, build upon its heritage and create a community facility for the 21st century.
The plans have been given a first-round pass, which means it meets criteria for funding and judges believe it has potential to deliver high-quality benefits and value for Lottery money.
Development funding of £280,500 has been awarded to help the council progress its plans to apply for a full grant at a later date.
The restoration project, expected to cost over £4.2 million in total, will involve the refurbishment and repair of historic buildings on the site including the pavilions and ticket office; the rehabilitation of the lake; new features including adventure golf; vegetation and arboriculture work; and improvements to footpaths and hard surfacing.
The Grade II-listed Park provides 121 acres of public space alongside the University of Nottingham campus, off University Boulevard, and features a large boating lake, landscaped gardens and a children's play area. It was first laid out in 1920 on the initiative of Sir Jesse Boot and fully opened to the public in 1926.
Councillor Dave Trimble, city council's portfolio holder for leisure and culture, said: "Nottingham boasts some beautiful public spaces and Highfields Park is one of our most historically important and popular.
"We're delighted that thanks to this initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund we can begin the process of restoring the Park to its former glory and introducing some new features which will ensure it can continue to be enjoyed by generations of Nottingham people in the decades to come."
