A Covid-19 commemorative garden in the borough’s newest park
A Covid-19 commemorative garden in the borough’s newest park

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The new Old Farm Park, playground and wildlife habitat in Sidcup, will be home to the borough’s official Covid-19 commemorative garden.

The garden will be a place that residents will be able to visit to remember those who have been lost or who have been affected by the pandemic.

The idea came from Bexley resident Gordon Davis, who put the suggestion to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Teresa O’Neill OBE and the Mayor of Bexley, Cllr James Hunt earlier this month.

Cabinet Member for Places, Cllr Peter Craske took up the idea and met Mr Davis at the borough’s newest playground and wildlife habitat last week.

Old Farm Park has been chosen as it was created and built during the current crisis and because, as a new park, it has a feeling of optimism and recovery.

The site includes paths, trim trails and exercise equipment, a dipping pond and wildlife area, plus new benches, plants, trees and a brand new playground.

Cllr Craske said: “We are pleased to announce the creation of a new garden area to honour Bexley residents and others we lost to Covid-19.

“The new Old Farm Park, playground and wildlife habitat has itself been built during the pandemic and, as such, it feels the right place for a commemorative garden where anyone can come and think about those we have lost and the overall impact of the pandemic.

“It was great to discuss ideas with Mr Davis, who had the original idea. We will share more details about the opening of the park and the new garden in the coming weeks.”

Mr Davis said; “I’m really pleased that my suggestion for a commemorative garden has been acted on. I felt it was vital to have a scenic place in the borough to visit and spend time thinking about loved ones we have lost, or who may have suffered as a result of Covid.  I am delighted to be involved in such a positive project and look forward to spending time enjoying the new space we will be creating as a community. This park is an ideal choice and I thoroughly enjoyed walking the site to see the new playground and various wildlife habitats promoting greater biodiversity of flora and fauna. I thank the Councillors and the Mayor for embracing this idea and bringing it to fruition.​”

The site is not yet formally completed, an official opening will take place once the site is finished.

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