Victoria Park voted best in the capital

Victoria Park, Tower Hamlets, has been voted the capital’s favourite park in this year’s prestigious People’s Choice Award (September 21).

Part way through a multi-million pound restoration project which will see the park returned to its 1840s splendour, Victoria Park came top in London and eighth in the country in the annual poll.

Winning its first Green Flag Award – the national benchmark for excellence for parks and open spaces – this year, Victoria Park competed against all of the UK’s 1,290 Green Flag open spaces.

Mayor Lutfur Rahman, Tower Hamlets Council, said: “With more than 100 parks and open spaces in the borough, Victoria Park is Tower Hamlets’ crown jewel. It is fantastic that our park has been recognised by the nation.

“It mixes a wealth of heritage with fantastic play spaces, sports facilities and vistas. Our restoration investment builds on these features, making sure that Victoria Park remains one of the country’s best loved open spaces for years to come.”

Mayor Rahman, added: “This success supports Tower Hamlets City Status bid, highlighting the quality of facilities within the borough.”

With 275,000 visiting Victoria Park to enjoy festivals and events which attract international superstars this year, the park continues to grow in popularity.

Twelve million pounds is being invested into Victoria Park’s restoration. Predominantly funded by the council, with addition funding from the Big Lottery Funding and Heritage Lottery Fund, this represents the biggest investment in Victoria Park since its creation in the 1840s.

Improvements include the restoration of historic monuments, new play equipment, the creation of a new community facility and café, the reintroduction of a Chinese Pagoda, improved planting, a new skate park and better sports facilities.

In addition Mile End Park won the award for innovation, acknowledging the park’s outstanding contribution to the local community.

September 22, 2011