Nature lovers can have their say on the future of Southwark Park until April 10, when public consultation for the new plans comes to a close.
Southwark Council is developing plans for a pavilion incorporating a café, public toilets and park offices, following a previous consultation period twelve months ago.
The pavilion would be located by the boating lake, providing space for up to 140 people to take in the scenery with indoor and outdoor seating.
The consultation will also ask for views on the ‘Old Nursery’ site, which is currently out of public use to the side and rear of the park’s current café, proposing three options: horticulture, art and play.
The first choice would involve “putting plants centre stage”, harking back to the days when the long-gone Chrysanthemum House’s floral displays used to attract 30,000 visitors a year.
The artistic option, according to the proposal, would see the old nursery become “a place where art and sculpture is revealed to the visitor as they move through the space.”
A winding path would reveal “curiosities” around each corner.
The third option, “play”, would involve the creation of an “intriguing and yet understated Play Path”, a water feature, two tree houses and structures allowing children to pick fruit from trees.
Check out the proposals and have your say at an outdoor exhibition by the park’s play area until April 10 (from 10am to 2pm daily) or visit https://consultations.southwark.gov.uk/environment-leisure/southwarkpark to fill in an online survey.