Tottenham Marsh kicked into life by Luka Modric
Date Published: 10/03/2010
Clendish Woods (Tottenham Marsh) has been brought back to life thanks to a partnership project launched with the support of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club on Tuesday 9 March 2010.
Children from Sunrise Primary School, local community groups and volunteers came together to celebrate this newly developed urban landscape. Partly funded by the Forestry Commission’s London Tree and Woodland Grant Scheme, the unique project is managed by environmental regeneration charity Groundwork London.
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Luka Modric attended the launch, to the delight of some very excited school children. “Tottenham Marshes provide the ideal spot for families to get out and enjoy their local parks,” he said.
The woodland improvement is part of an ongoing £2 million investment to improve the area. The regeneration of Tottenham Marshes has, so far, taken 5 years and represents a long standing commitment by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority to transform the area and encourage visitors to enjoy the area, play sports, spot wildlife or simply relax alongside the canal. The Authority has created an attractive countryside area running parallel to the traffic blighted, industrialised area surrounding the Marshes.
The programme of improvements includes a 200m long woodland path, tree planting and a 5 year woodland management plan. “It’s wonderful to see children, families and local community groups coming together, being active and enjoying their environment. The Marshes are the only area of their kind in Tottenham. We’re delighted that Luka Modric and Tottenham Hotspur supported the event and were on hand to highlight the range of leisure and recreational activities here,“ said LVRPA Project Manager Janet Green.
It is hoped the support of Tottenham Hotspur will encourage young people and sports enthusiasts on to the Marshes.
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Notes to Editors
· Over £2m awarded through the Communities & Local Government’s Growth Area Fund has been used to build a new community building at Stonebridge Lock, improve access to the Marshes from neighbouring communities, open up the entrance ways to the site to make them more inviting and create 5km of surfaced paths around the Marshes to enable people of all abilities to use the area in all weathers.
· Tottenham Marshes achieved Green Flag status in 2008 in acknowledgement of the improvements made and the Authority’s positive management of the site.
· Improvements have only been made possible with the close co-operation of British Waterways, Haringey and Waltham Forest.
· Further improvements will include a new pathway across the car park and a new building for the blossoming Canoe & Cycle Hire and Café, although funding is still being pulled together to deliver these.
· It is also hoped to create a new wetland area which will benefit both wildlife and people.
· The Forestry Commission is the Government Department responsible for forestry policy throughout Great Britain. It leads on the development and promotion of sustainable forestry management. In London we are trying to encourage tree planting and woodland management which promotes maximum social, environmental and economic benefits. The Forestry Commission’s Community Grant Scheme supports projects delivering community benefits to schools, open spaces and woodlands in Greater London.
· Groundwork London builds sustainable communities in areas of need through joint environmental action. To do this, they deliver practical projects with their partners in four key areas: communities and young people, urban landscapes and open spaces, environmental services and employment and skills training london.groundwork.org.uk
· Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, the Football Club’s official charitable body, was launched at Number 10 Downing Street by former Prime Minister Tony Blair in January, 2007.
Lee Valley Regional Park stretches 26 miles along the River Lee from Ware in Hertfordshire to East India Dock Basin on the Thames. The Park’s 26 miles comprise a diverse mix of heritage sites, nature reserves and open green spaces alongside world class sports facilities; we attract over 4 million visitors every year.
Lee Valley Regional Park is playing an active part in the London 2012 Games. The new White Water Canoe Centre (just north of the M25 between Waltham Abbey and Waltham Cross) and the VeloPark and Hockey and Tennis Centres in Olympic Park will be owned, managed and funded by Lee Valley Regional Park in legacy. They join our existing sports facilities which include Lee Valley’s Athletics Centre, Riding Centre and Ice Centre to create a chain of sporting excellence across the region.
Press Information:
For more information please contact Lee Valley Regional Park Authority:
Jackie Tolland: 01992 709 933, (M) 07739 990 151, (E) jtolland@leevalleypark.org.uk
Michelle Rosenberg: 01992 709 830, (M) 07920 810 403, (E) mrosenberg@leevalleypark.org.uk
2010-03-04