The regeneration of Ellington Park in Ramsgate was completed two years ago, and has significantly changed how the space is used by the local community with tens of thousands more people coming through the gates each year.
The regeneration of Ellington Park in Ramsgate in 2021 was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with BJF Group the main contractor working on behalf of Thanet District Council. The park has become much more than just an attractive public space.
With new facilities including a café and toilets designed by Clague Architects, as well as vastly improved paths, a refurbished bandstand and a new children’s play park, Ellington Park is now a hub for a whole host of community groups, charitable activities, and other local events. Not only that but instances of anti-social behavior within the park are at an all-time low.
According to data collected by the Community Activities Officer for Ellington Park, over the past two years, visitor numbers have increased significantly, with tens of thousands of people now visiting the park annually for pre-organised events.
Whilst figures in 2021 were affected in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic, visitor numbers rose sharply from 2022 to 2023 and are far greater now than they were before the regeneration took place. Hundreds more people now attend events including the May Fayre and Festival of Sound. The much-loved model railway is also seeing many more passengers than ever before.
Charities including UKMencap, AgeUK and the Salvation Army use the space for activities and group events; small groups meet in the café and larger-scale fayres take place regularly, and the park is now full of life all year round.
Ellington Park won Thanet’s first Green Flag Award in 2022, with a second award in 2023, and also secured two Ramsgate Design Awards in recent months.
Kirsty Peterkin, Community Activities Officer for Ellington Park, said:
“Ellington Park is loved by all, it is a beautiful park which has benefitted from the National Heritage Lottery Fund with a great cafe, facilities and pathways. We thank the kind volunteers and trustees from Friends of Ellington Park charity for all their hard work.”
Cllr Heather Keen, Cabinet Member for Neighborhoods at Thanet District Council said:
“The regeneration of Ellington Park in Ramsgate has been extremely successful. It is an example of true partnership working, and how a combined effort can make a real difference to local communities. It is fabulous to see so many local people using the park for recreation and socialising, as well as attending larger events.”
A statement provided by the Friends of Ellington Park reads:
“The Friends of Ellington Park, originally set up as a local community group to help enhance the park and encourage more users, was pleased to be able to work in partnership with Thanet District Council with the award of National Lottery Heritage Funding. This has allowed the restoration of the historic features such as the bandstand and terrace plus landscaping, signage and the building of a new community café and facilities.
Since the work was completed and the café opened in August 2021 it has greatly increased the numbers of visitors to the park on a daily basis and also to all of the events that are now held throughout the year. We are grateful to all parties who have been involved to help make the park the beautiful space it is now and a welcoming place for the whole community.”
