The new Community Garden behind the Goodwin Hall in Retford’s Kings Park is to be officially opened by the Chairman of Bassetlaw District Council, Cllr David Challinor, on Wednesday 15th June at 11am.

Portfolio holder for Environment and Leisure, Julie Leigh, says, “The new garden is part of the continuing plan to restore and develop Kings Park’s heritage features and conservation areas. Hopefully the restoration will benefit users of the Hall and will also encourage potential new users and groups, like schools, into the Park itself.”

“The community nature of the project is reflected by both St Joseph’s and St Swithun’s primary schools having planted in the garden tulip bulbs they had grown last year.”

The need for a community garden in the park was identified after the Retford Civic Society in partnership with the Council and the Friends of Kings Park consulted all the users groups of the hall. The project is also supported by the Goodwin Hall Trust Committee

Working with local landscape architect, Sarah Murch and Nottinghamshire County Council, detailed plans were drawn up for improvements to the arboretum feature, shrub borders, seasonal flowerbeds, lawns and furnishings. These incorporate a new patio-cum-seating area including a trellis feature and storage and composting bins to the rear of the building.

The £63,000 funding for the improvements has come from Nottinghamshire County Council Local Improvement Scheme along with additional funding from Retford Civic Society and King’s Park trust fund.