Blakedown Landscapes Completes Bognor Regis Sunken Gardens
The refurbishment at Bognor Regis Sunken Gardens has reached completion and was celebrated on Friday with an official opening attended by Councillors from Arun District Council and representatives from Blakedown Landscapes.
The Sunken Gardens is an important open space to be enjoyed by residents and visitors, close to the town centre. The £300,000 improvement project has enhanced the quality of this much-loved community asset, improved feelings of safety and security and will encourage more visitors to the gardens.
Works carried out by Blakedown, as main contractor, have comprised enhancements to the play area including new equipment, brightly coloured safety surfacing and planting; creation of a new southern entrance with enhanced planting, which opens views into the garden and enables better access for wheelchair users and families with pushchairs; and a sensory area on the east side of the gardens that incorporates wildflowers on low mounds.
Other works have seen the centre of the gardens replanted with a new low hedge; the restoration of existing and the installation of new benches; and the refurbishment of footpaths. A memorial tree will be planted in the central bed within the sunken gardens, during the autumn planting season, in memory of Kim Davis from the Bognor Community Gardeners.
Sustainable and sensitive landscape design by landscape architects LUC has been a key element of the scheme with the enhancement of the site’s biodiversity through planting choice and the re-use and recycling of existing site materials including soil and play equipment.
“I am delighted that this project is complete, and the improved gardens are open for residents and visitors to enjoy. This project has spanned several administrations, and I would like to thank everyone involved for their dedication to carrying out this work. The Sunken Gardens project is part of the wider rejuvenation works being undertaken in Bognor Regis, and everyone at Arun is fully united behind improving the offering of our district.”
“Blakedown is delighted to have been appointed as main contractor for the refurbishment of this much loved and valuable community asset. We specialise in high quality public realm schemes and more and more we are collaborating with our clients to create sustainable landscapes in a sustainable way. At Bognor Regis Sunken Gardens we have focused on the recycling of site wide materials and the creation of a new sensory landscape featuring naturalised planting to increase biodiversity.” ”
Image @Arun District Council - From L to R: Craig Austin, Contracts Manager, Blakedown Landscapes; Cllr Alison Cooper, Chair of Arun District Council; Cllr Matt Stanley, Leader of Arun District Council; Cllr Jim Brooks; Martin Wiles, Senior Contract Manager, Blakedown Landscapes
Bognor Regis Sunken Gardens - Aerial View