The East Side of Beckenham Place Park is set for a three million pound makeover, with enhancement works already started on the Downham side of the railway line.

The project promises a number of improvements aimed at boosting play, recreation, and overall well-being in the park.

Residents near Downham and Bellingham can look forward to upgraded play areas, recreational facilities, and improved health and wellbeing opportunities – according to Lewisham Council.

The new changes include an updated playground, café and outdoor gym.

Lewisham Council has secured a £1.1 million, complemented by a contribution of £1.3 million from the Environment Agency and an additional £700,000 from the Mayor of London’s Green and Resilient Spaces Fund.

The full program of work is expected to last approximately one year.

Regular updates will be published on the dedicated Beckenham Place Park webpage.

As progress continues, occasional pathway suspensions and diversions may be necessary whilst work is carried out.

The playground in this section of the park will undergo also a temporary closure during the construction of new play facilities.

Here is what changes are planned: • Extensive Landscaping and Rewilding: The east side of the park will see a transformation with lowland meadows and wildlife-rich ponds designed to accommodate stormwater, mitigating flood risks.

• Playground and Multi-Use Games Area: A new and improved play space will be developed, offering versatile recreation options for the community.

• Enhanced Main Entrance: Welcoming visitors from Old Bromley Road, the main entrance will undergo improvements to create a more inviting gateway to the park.

• River Corridor Enhancements: The river corridor will witness significant improvements, creating increased opportunities for community volunteering.

• Footpaths and Wayfinding: New and improved pathways will be established, complemented by enhanced wayfinding signage to facilitate easy navigation within the park.

• Activity Trail, Off-Road Cycling, and Outdoor Gym: To promote health and fitness, the project includes the creation of an activity trail, off-road cycling trail, and an outdoor gym.

• Park Café Opportunity: A new park café, complete with publicly accessible toilets, will be established, providing a communal space for relaxation and socializing.

Damien Egan, Mayor of Lewisham said: “I’m delighted that the work to improve the Bellingham and Downham side of Beckenham Place Park has begun.

“This is the final part of what's been South London's biggest new park project and it's been an incredible success.

“Since improvements to the park were made on the west side, we have seen numbers increase from 200,000 to around 1.2 million visitors every year! I look forward to seeing the changes.”

Shirley Rodrigues, London Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy said: “The climate crisis is one of the biggest global threats we face today. In London, the heatwaves, wildfires and flash flooding we’ve experienced in recent years have highlighted the capital’s vulnerability to climate change.

“Through the Mayor’s Green and Resilient Spaces Fund, we’re supporting brilliant projects across London, including the transformation of Beckenham Place Park, which will help ensure all Londoners have access to great green spaces close to where they live.

“Improving green spaces and rivers will strengthen London's climate resilience, increase biodiversity, boost Londoners’ well-being and help build a better, greener London for everyone.”