Victoria Park and Watercress Fields is Ashford’s largest and most central municipal Park, set in a riverside location within 10 minutes’ walk of Ashford town centre. Although valued as an open space, the Park currently fails to play a meaningful role in the social life and fabric of the town and does not enhance the character, identity and vitality of the south Ashford community.

The Victoria Park and Watercress Fields project aims to create and improve habitats along the river, restore and redefine some of the Park’s historic layout and planting, repair the Hubert Fountain (which is its most distinctive landmark), and create new facilities, such as a community building and play areas.

We worked with stakeholders, local residents, schools and other learners to shape a programme of events and activities to engage the local community.  A centrepiece of the activity programme is to get the community, particularly young people, to be actively involved in the development and design of the new facilities to build ownership and create a generation who will protect and cherish the Park.