Sunken Gardens officially open at Bognor Regis
We are delighted to announce the official opening of the Sunken Gardens in Bognor Regis, which is an important open space to be enjoyed by residents and visitors, close to the town centre.
A budget of £230,000 was initially approved and additional funding of £82,000 was agreed for the construction, following increased costs within the industry. However, the increased amount was within the original budget allocated for the project. An additional £4,000, from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund was also spent on improving footpaths for accessibility to the southern part of the scheme.
At the outset residents were consulted and results showed that 86% of participants agreed about the issues which affected the site and that plans should improve feelings of safety and security. A large majority (90%) of people were supportive of the proposals presented, which aimed to enhance the quality of the landscape and encourage more visitors to the gardens.
The Sunken Gardens project completion includes:
- enhancements to the play area, including, new equipment, brightly coloured safety surfacing and planting. The accessibility of the play area has been improved with the addition of an inclusive roundabout, in ground trampoline and a basket swing
- creation of a new southern entrance with new planting, which opens views into the garden and enables better access for wheelchair users and families with pushchairs
- a sensory area on the east side of the gardens has incorporated wildflowers on low mounds and later in the summer will see timber animal sculptures installed as part of a trail for children
- the centre of the gardens has been replanted with a new low hedge
- existing benches have been refurbished and new benches added. The footpaths have also been resurfaced (part funded by UKSPF allocation)
- a memorial tree will be planted in the central bed within the sunken gardens, during the autumn planting season, in memory of Kim Davis from the Bognor Community Gardeners
We are finalising the play area, following the play inspection last week, and that will be open as soon as that is signed off.
We are happy to report that Blakedown Landscapes, the contractor working on the project, was careful to recycle as much material on site as possible.
Cllr Matt Stanley, Leader of the Council said:
“I am delighted that this project is complete, and the improved gardens are open for residents and visitors to enjoy.
This project has spanned several administrations, and I would like to thank everyone involved for their dedication to carrying out this work.
The Sunken Gardens project is part of the wider rejuvenation works being undertaken in Bognor Regis, and everyone at Arun is fully united behind improving the offering of our district.”
Steve Buckingham, Director, Blakedown Landscapes said
“Blakedown is delighted to have been appointed as main contractor for the refurbishment of this much loved and valuable community asset. The improvements have delivered an enhanced landscape, improved facilities, opened up the site and increased visibility. Blakedown specialises in high quality public realm schemes and more and more we are collaborating with our clients to create sustainable landscapes in a sustainable way. At Bognor Regis Sunken Gardens we have focused on the recycling of site wide materials and the creation of a new sensory landscape featuring naturalised planting to increase biodiversity.”
Photo, from left to right:
Craig Austin, Contracts Manager at Blakedown Landscapes, Cllr Alison Cooper, Chair of Arun District Council, Cllr Matt Stanley, Leader of Arun District Council, Cllr Jim Brooks, Martin Wiles, Senior Contract Manager for Blakedown Landscapes