A free family event to celebrate the multi-million pound restoration of one of Scarborough’s most popular parks will take place this weekend.
South Cliff Gardens in the town have undergone a £7.158 million transformation and events will be staged on Saturday and Sunday (27 and 28 May).
The public will be given the chance to see the gardens’ new community facilities, discover the restored heritage features and take part in activities.
Civic dignitaries including Scarborough’s Charter Mayor, Cllr John Ritchie, and Scarborough’s Town Crier, David Birdsall, will open the event at 11am on Saturday. This will be followed by live music in the Italian Gardens.
Other attractions planned for the weekend include Kate Boddy leading Alice in Wonderland-themed crafts in Beeforth’s Hive and the Wildcats sharing outdoor crafts in the Shuttleworth Gardens, roving poet Dr Rhyme ready with his typewriter to create personalised on-the-spot poems and a site tour of the gardens, setting off from the Clock Tower at 1pm. Children will have the opportunity to explore the new outdoor play area.
Executive member for open to business, Cllr Derek Bastiman, said: “We are looking forward to great weather and a fantastic weekend with lots of families enjoying South Cliff Gardens in all its summer glory. There will certainly be lots to see and do.”
Here are the full details of the events planned:
Saturday, 27 May:
- 11am - opening speeches in the Italian Gardens.
- 11am to 3pm - family drop-in crafts in the Hive and in Shuttleworth Gardens.
- 11am to 3pm - portraits trail - various locations.
- noon to 3pm - live music in the Italian Gardens.
- 1pm - site tour of the gardens setting off from the Clock Tower.
Sunday, 28 May:
- 11am to 3pm - An Alice in Wonderland-themed family fun day in the Italian Gardens.
Drinks and refreshments will be available throughout the weekend.
Carried out over a period of almost two years and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund, Council funds and fundraising by the South Cliff community, the restoration of the gardens was successfully completed earlier this year.
The community facility now boasts:
- An innovative new play area, which uses natural materials to blend into the landscape and reflect the gardens’ history.
- Construction and resurfacing of an accessible route through the gardens, from north to south, including the reopening of the access tunnel underneath the Spa cliff lift.
- Construction of a new operational depot, Beeforth’s Hive, to provide a base for the dedicated gardening team, facilities for volunteer gardeners and a community space for local groups.
- New information and wayfinding signage to make the site more accessible and easier to find.
- Planting, biodiversity enhancements and work to open up historical views.
The Director England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Helen Featherstone, said: “Conserving our public parks is a high priority of the Heritage Fund as we're committed to promoting environmentally sustainable heritage that increases people’s health and wellbeing.
“I'm sure National Lottery players will be thrilled to know money they have raised has helped restore the wonderful South Cliff Gardens so local communities and visitors can enjoy it for years to come.”