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English Park changes on way
This will see the park stripped of all buildings as well as the old cycle track. Three main features will be:
The building’s entrance will be at the second-storey level with access via an earth bank built up from the stream. The bank will also serve to lessen the visual impact of the grandstand. As a result of public consultation, a community meeting room, an area for a small gym and a café will be provided. These areas are to encourage daily activities at the park rather than having a facility that is used only once or twice a week. The lounge has been designed to be used for community activities and will be available for hire. The present soccer pitch will be realigned to allow a green area between the St Albans Primary School and the soccer pitch. There will be improved parking available at the school and an enlarged turning circle will be installed at the end of Shepherd Place. A new cycle way and pedestrian access will link Shepherd Place to Cranford St. New landscaping in the car park will provide a more attractive area for the Saturday Markets and will also soften the impact of the sealed area. A feature of the park will be the reopened St Albans Stream and new landscaping which will integrate the stream with the park. The construction period is estimated to be seven months with the completion and occupation of the community facility around February 2002. The soccer pitch will not be available for use until later in the year until the playing surface becomes fully established. |