A “FLAGSHIP” Catford park has been given a £35,000 cash boost to help create a new community garden.

Mountsfield Park has been awarded the funding to transform the site of the former bowls green as part of the Mayor of London’s Pocket Parks scheme.

The 13.4 hectare park is also set to gain a new café, outdoor gym, improved children’s play area and landscaping with £450,000 from the Rushey Green Renewal Fund.

Lewisham Council has earmarked £35,000 of the funding to match the Pocket Parks cash for the community garden which will include an edible hedgerow and a possible outdoors kitchen.

Lewisham Council cabinet member for customer services Councillor Susan Wise said: “Mountsfield Park is one of Lewisham’s flagship parks and attracts nearly half a million visitors every year.

“We are delighted to be a recipient of Pocket Parks funding which will help us create a much-wanted community garden.”

Chair of Friends of Mountsfield Park Rory McNally added: “We’re absolutely delighted that Mountsfield Park is to get this investment.

“Our aim has always been to make the park a safe and welcoming place for everyone to enjoy. Now that we’ve been successful in gaining suitable funding we can’t wait to see the improvements take place.”

Work on the community garden is expected to start in the New Year with the wider project starting later in 2014.

The Friends of Mountsfield Park can be contacted at mountsfieldpark@gmail.com or by visiting http://mountsfieldpark.wordpress.com/.