Faversham Recreation Ground

Swale Borough Council successfully applied for a grant of £1.6 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund in 2018, to give the Faversham Recreation Ground a new lease of life with an ambitious heritage-led regeneration scheme.

This announcement follows a successful bid in 2016 for £117,800 to develop initial proposals for the scheme and to carry out a consultation with local residents.

The scheme will restore many of the park’s historic features and make improvements to local facilities.  The funding will also support a five year action plan of community engagement which will open up the site’s history to current users, and target groups who may not have thought about using the park previously.

The planned improvements include:

• refurbishment of the former gardeners lodge and loggias
• restoration of original wrought iron gates and boundary fence on Whitstable Road and Park Road
• reinstatement of some areas of historical planting and paths
• re-imagining unique features such as the drinking fountain and mile stone
• refurbishment of the main changing pavilion and toilet block
• improvements to both the play area and skate park
• development of a catering kiosk
• creating an outdoor performance space
• establishing a Community Park Forum
• employing a park activities co-ordinator, park ranger and two horticultural apprentices
• recruiting volunteers and offering training opportunities
• a programme of events to bring the park alive

Faversham Municipal Charities currently lease the recreation ground to Swale Borough Council. The Ground sits within the conservation area and is the most significant formal urban open space in Faversham at approximately 20 acres.  A bequest by Henry Wreight and subscriptions from local townspeople created the park in 1860.