MEMORIAL GARDENS
Kingston Council and Kingston First are continuing their partnership to transform spaces across Kingston town centre into places where everyone can unwind, enjoy and connect with nature.
Thank you to all of those who have taken the time to provide their thoughts as we look to improve Memorial Gardens. Local and RHS Gold Medal award winning landscape architects, Davies White Ltd have been working with the project team to review the the important feedback we heard from local communities, stakeholders and businesses.
The developed design aims to respect the space as a garden of memory and its cultural significance for commemoration and ceremony, whilst improving connectivity, safety, and inclusivity, to ensure the space is welcoming to all residents and visitors.
Memorial Gardens has been a key green space at the heart of Kingston Town Centre for centuries. Two hundred years ago (in 1826), it was set out as an overflow burial ground for All Saints Church. One hundred years ago (in 1923), the War Memorial was unveiled and created the garden of commemoration that it is today.
Memorial Gardens offers a place for quiet contemplation and reflection amongst green lawns, trees, and gardens. However, the gardens suffer from a lack of tidiness and litter, issues with pigeons and a lack of connectivity to the surrounding town centre.
The proposed improvements to Memorial Gardens will increase the amount of trees and garden planting. New points of access to Eden Walk and Cloister’s Mall will improve connections and encourage more people to move into and through the space. New pathways and lighting will also draw people into the space. This will increase feelings of safety and inclusion, ensuring that the gardens are an inviting space for all users – day and night.