Come and celebrate 25 years of the Queen's Gardens
Press Release Details
- Ref
- 3439
- Date
- Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:59:29
From Bollywood dancing to a gospel choir, the event will showcase local talent and is absolutely free. There will be food stalls, craft workshops and a wedding display during the day, which finishes around 3.30 pm.
The opening of the Queen's Gardens, by her Majesty on 21 June 1983, gave people living in or visiting Croydon's bustling town centre a haven of peace surrounded by flowers, shrubs and trees. It also marked the centenary of the town's Charter of Incorporation, which established Croydon as a borough.
Since that first day, the Queen's Gardens has become a much-loved refuge in the middle of a busy 21st century retail and business centre, enjoyed by thousands each year.
The gardens were completed following a major development of the area which saw the demolition of the old Croydon police station. The plot, which stretches from Fell Road to Park Lane and is bounded by Katharine Street and the Croydon Flyover, has been a public garden since the 1890s when the current Town Hall was built to replace its high street predecessor, which had become too small for the corporation's needs.
Construction of the modern garden began in October 1982 when the roadway was removed, ground contouring begun and a contract for paths, walls and other hard landscaping awarded to FM Conway Ltd.
The final garden works were carried out by staff in the council's parks department in the late spring of 1983, which included the wettest April in 43 years. Some of the gardeners who worked on the scheme then continue to be involved with the gardens now.
Croydon's cabinet member for culture and sport, Councillor Steve Hollands, said: "This promises to be a great day with lots of entertainment for all. The Queen's Gardens are one of the town centre's assets and will continue to develop just as they have over the past quarter century. Modernisation plans have been tabled as part of the proposed Park Place scheme and I am sure, whatever form these take, the gardens will continue to be valued and enjoyed by the people of Croydon for years to come."
