Wilton Lodge Park ready for a new season
Thursday, April 10 2008
The spring/summer season has just begun at Scottish Borders Council’s Wilton Lodge Park, in the Wilton Dean area of Hawick.
The park, which covers 107 acres, is very popular with visitors – providing a range of activities and attractions including sports pitches (rugby/football), tennis courts, walled garden, aviary, children’s play area, riverside walk, Millennium Nature Trail, summer and spring annual bedding displays and the Hawick Museum.
The park’s café, which closes in the winter months, is also open for business. The seasonal facility, run by Christina Huggan, will be available until mid-October. Recreational activities include croquet, boules, a recently-upgraded crazy golf facility, bouncy castle and a bowling area, all available for children and adults to enjoy.
As a result of user feedback recently received, the café has been upgraded to enable disabled access by installing a ramp and widening the entrance door. The adjoining toilets were also improved by the installation of hot water, a baby-changing unit and motion-sensitive lights.
Some users had also expressed concerns about living conditions for the birds in the Walled Garden glasshouse. These have been addressed by improved ventilation systems. The birds’ general health is also professionally checked on a regular basis.
Councillor Len Wyse, Executive Member for Environmental Services, said: “I’m pleased that we have been able to make small scale improvements to the café as a result of user feedback and hope that the improved accessibility and facilities have created an even better experience for visitors to the park. I know from personal experience how the popular the facility is and hope that more people continue to come to the park this year to see what we have achieved.
Jason Hedley, Parks and Open Spaces Manager, added: “Larger scale consultation carried out last year with the help of the Friends of Wilton Lodge Park has given us an immense amount of quality information about users’ views on the current condition of the park and suggestions for future improvements. We are currently analysing this information with a view to developing an agreed management plan for the park.
“Our thanks go to Mrs Huggan for making visitors feel welcome to the park and I know she is looking forward to seeing new faces in the coming season.”
Café opening times:
March – October: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
Opening times may vary subject to weather conditions
Cost for park activities:
Adults - £1.20; Children - 60p
To book football and rugby pitches please call Scottish Borders Council Parks and Open Spaces on 01896 661770.
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