Improvements to Craydene Open Space, Erith

The Council st ar t ed working last month t o bring new trees, fitness equipment, children’s agility equipment and a new footpath t o the large green Craydene Open Space in Erith over the coming months.

It is also introducing raised beds for community gardening, so that residents with green fingers have a space to grow their own produce

Grounds maintenance contractor Tivoli is already on site to clear up the grounds, including cutting back brambles and bushes, as well as installing new fencing to the south of the site Work is being carried out on the Craydene Road access gate to prevent quad bikes from entering the park Tivoli will also be adding large concrete containers that will be filled with wildflower seeds during the summer and used to plant trees in the autumn

In the second stages of development, the new fitness and agility equipment will be installed to the nor th of the site

The improvements are possible thanks to joint funding of £160,000 from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund and the Bexley Wellbeing Par tnership.

Councillor Peter Craske, Cabinet Member for Places, commented: “As one of the par tners of the Bexley Wellbeing Par tnership, the Council shares its aims to suppor t and improve the health, care and wellbeing of local people and communities We hope that the new fitness and agility equipment will help fur ther suppor t the physical health of residents, while the new community gardening group helps promote good mental health, bringing new friendships and fur ther oppor tunities to get outdoors and take up a new hobby “As par t of the Council’s 2023/24 budget, we will be investing even fur ther in ser vices that all our residents use, including our beautiful green parks and open spaces across the borough ” www bexley gov uk