South east London park to get multimillion pound make over
There'll be a new dinosaur themed playground and the Tidal Lakes will have restoration work carried out.
Crystal Palace park in south east London is among a list of popular heritage sites across the UK being granted a total of more than £24 million in National Lottery funding to help preserve them for the future.
It comes as the National Lottery Heritage Fund launches its new 10-year strategy which aims to invest £3.6 billion in heritage with a "focus on place-based investment, partnerships and sustainability".
Almost £5 million in funds will help advance Crystal Palace park's regeneration plan which includes restoration work to the Tidal Lakes, a new dinosaur-themed playground and an information centre.
"Crystal Palace Park embodies the joy of heritage, from its nature walks and unique dinosaurs"
The park is on the Heritage At High-Risk Register partly due to the condition of the dinosaurs which have stood there for nearly 170 years.
Eilish McGuinness, chief executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "Crystal Palace Park embodies the joy of heritage, from its nature walks and unique dinosaurs to the kaleidoscope of sporting and cultural activities held in its magnificent grounds.
"It's as important to local communities as its history is significant internationally.
"We're delighted that thanks to players of the National Lottery, we can save much-loved heritage like the Crystal Palace Park all over the UK and create benefits for people, places and our natural environment.
"In 1852, Crystal Palace Park was designed to impress, educate, entertain and inspire. Our funding will help ensure that it continues to do just that for generations to come."
The National Lottery Heritage Fund said all investment decisions in its 10-year plan will be based on four principles: saving heritage, protecting the environment, inclusion, access and participation, and organisational sustainability.
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