Derby City Council is planning a series of improvements at a historic park. Cabinet members are expected to approve a bid to the National Lottery for funding towards the Darley Park Improvement Project.

If the bid is successful, the £250,000 Lottery funding would be combined with £165,000 existing Section 106 funding already allocated to enhancing the park. This Section 106 funding is made up of contributions made by developers as part of development schemes and is specifically earmarked for parks improvements.

The plans for the park include making it more accessible, refurbishing the play area and introducing new activities and events. The proposal will be discussed by Cabinet members at their meeting on Wednesday 12 March.

Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Streetpride, Public Safety and Leisure, said:

Darley Park is a much-loved, historic green space. This is a great opportunity to maximise the available funding to allow us to make a significant investment in the park, making it more accessible, educational, and enjoyable for everyone.

We're aiming to preserve its heritage while creating new opportunities for visitors to connect with nature and our city’s rich history.

The proposed improvements include:

  • Refurbishing the play area to create a bespoke facility which helps interpret the heritage of the park and local area
  • Providing interactive ways of learning about the park and its important role within the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site
  • Improving the park’s footpaths and access to the Hydrangea Garden and Wildlife Garden
  • Refurbishing Ada’s seat, a memorial to the founding family of Darley Mills
  • New planting 
  • Providing activities and events, for example heritage tours, to increase visitors to the park
  • Training for park volunteers.

Darley Park was donated to the people of Derby in 1929 and is located on the River Derwent. As part of the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Word Heritage Site – Derwent Valley Mills, holds significant heritage value. It also hosts one of the city’s favourite summer events, The Darley Park Weekender, every year.

Notable attractions include the renowned Hydrangea Collection, which is the largest in Britain, and the Wildlife Garden, which boasts a beautiful arrange of butterflies.