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Champions wanted for treasured city park

Louise Parry
BBC News, Hertfordshire
Katy Lewis/BBC A view straight on to the lake which is long bordered by grass and mature trees on both sides. There is a clump of grass in the foreground. What looks like geese (or could be stones) are in the lake on the right. The blue cloudy sky is reflected in the water.Katy Lewis/BBC
Bill Free says a lot of people use Verulamium Park and "generally feel it could be nicer than it is"

A new group says it is hoping to protect a beloved city park which is home to 100 acres of "stunning landscapes" and "rich Roman history".

Verulamium Park in St Albans, Hertfordshire, is a popular tourist spot welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.

The local council owns the park and is planning to spend £2.2m on improvements, including £25,000 of proceeds from the film Wonka, which shot a scene in Verulamium.

"People really love the park, but they're a bit upset – it's looking a little tired at the moment," said Bill Free, the chair of the new Friends of Verulamium Park group.

"I like the lake and river, but they've been a bit sad in recent times."

Bill Free Bill walking his black dog in the park, while the trees are in blossom. He walks on a dirt path through woodland with the abbey visible in the distance. Bill wears blue jeans and a pale blue shirt. Bill Free
Mr Free regularly walks his dog at Verulamium Park and enjoys taking visitors there

The group said it wanted "to give a voice to all park users" and enhance the area's wildlife and "natural beauty".

"It's a lovely park; it's got a nice look back over St Albans and you can see the cathedral," said Mr Free.

"There's a large playground, a splash park in summer; it's got wildlife and the Roman wall. People really value its presence."

He said although there had been issues with the quality of the lake and littering, "actually the council and Environment Agency are doing an awful lot for the park".

St Albans City and District Council Verulamium Park, showing a lake, with ducks on, a park bench, a brick bridge, trees and grass areas around, and a blue sky. There is a concrete path by the water and reeds in the lake. St Albans City and District Council
The lake has suffered from algae and unpleasant smells in recent summers

St Albans City and District Council set up a green space action plan which included the idea of a "friends group", he explained.

"It's very common, most parks in London have this.

"We hope to be able to help the council spend their funds in a way that suits the people who use the park."

An information board about Verulamium Park. A black edge with white writing saying The London Gate. The board has a painting or photo of a castle with narrow windows and two large arches at the front. A gravel path on the right winds downhill towards a lake in the distance. Next to it is grass and football goals, with a few people playing on the field. Lots of trees border the areas.
The park showcases excavated Roman ruins as well as providing many leisure opportunities

Group members will be asked to pay £10 per year to help fund things like information boards and litter picks.

"We're going to largely rely on voluntary activity but we'd like a fund to be able to do things," Mr Free added.

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