First new trees for Burgess Park
Published 23 January 2012
The first of dozens of new trees have been planted at Burgess Park as part of its ongoing multimillion pound makeover, council chiefs have anounced.
More than 40 trees are being planted on the west side of the park by Camberwell Road.
By the summer, more than 160 new trees will be planted in the park including a tree to mark The Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Species will include everything from Alder and English Oak to London Plane, Poplar and Willow.
The planting is part of the park's ongoing £6m upgrade which when complete will see an expanded and improved lake, the creation of a variety of different wildlife habitats, new entrances and a new BMX track.
Councillor Barrie Hargrove, Southwark's cabinet member for transport, environment and recycling, said: "We're committed to improving Burgess Park to ensure it becomes one of the capital's best green spaces and so I'm delighted that we have now reached this latest milestone in the park's ongoing transformation. When the scheme is complete I'm confident that the new park will get a big thumbs up from the public and will benefit the local community for many generations to come."
Burgess Park was granted £2m by the Mayor of London in March 2009. The Mayor's grant was matched with a further £4m of funding which was secured through an enhanced partnership between the council and the Aylesbury New Deal for Communities, now Creation Trust. In addition, over £1.1m has been invested by Southwark Council.
