An Islington park that has been hiding its charms is now showing a brighter face and coming up roses, or wildflowers, to be precise.<br><br>Whittington Park in Holloway Road, N19 though popular with dog-walkers, was not well kept in environmental terms.<br><br>But following consultation with the local community, Islington Council’s greenspace team has been working to make the park more people-friendly. Dogs can still be walked in the park, but some areas have been allocated as dog-free zones. <br><br>The appearance of the park has also been dramatically improved, particularly by the large wildflower plantings that recently came into bloom.<br><br>The new planting along the Holloway Road side of the park will draw people in with colourful displays of British wildflowers and more exotic varieties such as Turkish Lilies and Californian Poppies. <br><br>Cllr Bridget Fox, Executive member for sustainability said: “The wildflower plantings and other improvements to Whittington Park are part of the A1 Borough project which seeks to improve the environment for everyone along the borough's principal corridor.<br><br>Holloway Road is more than just a busy road - it's the centre of our borough, and Whittington Park is one of its many hidden attractions. With the wildflowers in bloom, Whittington Park is a joy for residents and visitors alike."<br><br>As part of the A1 Borough project linking both sides of Holloway Road, work has also begun on creating a visual link between Whittington Park and Davenant Park, which is directly across the other side of Holloway Road. Walls near the entrance to Davenant Park are being painted in a plum colour to mirror ones in Whittington Park, and matching wildflowers will also be planted in Davenant Park to create another visual tie-in.<br><br>In the meantime, the physical link between the parks has been improved. Previously there were two separate paths across Holloway Road for pedestrians and cyclists. These have now been combined into a wider, shared path which could.<br><br>Davenant Park itself is also undergoing redevelopment. New play areas with new equipment have been created, and the park has been cleared of shrubbery around its fences to increase visibility and safety within the park.<br><br>ENDS
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009