We’re refurbishing Alexandra Park pavilion

Residents close to Alexandra Park will soon be able to enjoy a yummy coffee and cake in the park thanks to a £130,000 facelift to the pavilion.  

In collaboration with ward Councillors Tony O’Neill and Bryan Dion, we have secured £130,000 of grant funding from Community Infrastructure Levy funds from BCP Council.  

The money will be used to create a community café, putting the heart back into Alexandra Park. This work will include structural refurbishment to the pavilion as well as a new plumbing system, new kitchen, new toilets, improved disabled access and a facelift to the building.     

Cathi Farrer, CEO of The Parks Foundation said, “our charity’s really excited to have raised these much-needed funds to help bring this pavilion back to life. Alexandra Park is a beautiful Victorian park, and the pavilion is crying out to become a much-loved community facility.  

“Building on the community park café we’ve opened at Winton Recreation Ground in 2019, we can’t wait to open this neighbourhood facility and improve the amenities in the park.  

“We’ll be creating opportunities for people to volunteer in the café, which provides an excellent opportunity for people to give back to their community.” 

Penn Hill resident, Cllr. Tony O’Neill, said, “we are delighted to have been able to work with so many residents and officials in the development of this project and to finally get the pavilion open again.  

“Our application was fully supported by the many residents of Penn Hill and Alexandra Park together with Police & Crime Commissioner David Sidwick, Dorset Neighbourhood Policing, ASB and CSAS teams and local Street Pastors Paul and Hilary Hockley, Vale Road Residents Association which shows just how many local people want to see it happen.” 

We currently deliver nature-based activities in the park such as ‘GreenFingers’ a regular volunteering group who help in the park, Nature Tots for toddlers and their carers and Park Life family-friendly events to inspire local residents about the local wildlife that’s on their doorstep.   

We will be working with Cllr O’Neill to raise further monies to fully realise the potential off the attractive pavilion, formerly the bowling club lodge, and the surrounding, precious and delightful green space. The refurbishment will take place during summer 2023 with the view to the community café opening in spring 2024.  

For further information, click here.

Published April 2023