|
Mandela memorial plan boost PLANS for a permanent memorial to
Nelson Mandela in a Liverpool park are set to be boosted by work to improve the
lake around its proposed location.
The Nelson Mandela Memorial Campaign (Mandela8) wants to create a tribute on the
lake island at Princes Park to tie in with what would have been his 100th
birthday in 2018, and reinstate a bridge link.
A report to the Cabinet, on Friday, 17 March 2017, proposes spending ₤312,500 restoring
the surrounding lake including reinstating the water channel, fixing edging
stones, putting in fishing platforms and ecological improvements.
Councillor Steve Munby, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said:- "The
Nelson Mandela Memorial would be an exciting addition to Princes Park and help
attract more people to spend time there. He was made a Freeman of the City in
1994 and it is very fitting that Liverpool should be aiming to honour him, but
it is equally vital that the area surrounding the memorial is improved."
The scheme is supported by Liverpool City Council, the North West TUC and
National Museums Liverpool.
Campaign Chair, Lynn Collins, said:- "We very much welcome this proposal
which will help our aim of creating a unique artwork which will celebrate and
commemorate Nelson Mandela's outstanding achievement for humanity, and will
bring visitors and tourists to the park. We are currently in the process of
appointing an artist who we will work with to create something special that fits
the park and its environment and captures the ideals which Mandela stood for; of
Freedom, Justice, Education and Equality. This City has a long affiliation to
Nelson Mandela and the chosen space of the island in Princes Park creates an
opportunity to break down barriers, build bridges and create links on many
levels connected to humanity and diversity. It is particularly fitting as Nelson
Mandela was incarcerated on an island for 18 years of his imprisonment."
The proposal is part of a package of measures proposed by the Council costing
more than ₤1 million, which would also see improvements at Calderstones Park and
Sefton Park.
At Calderstones Park, it is proposed that ₤140,000 is used to remove silt in the
lake which has blocked watercourses and led to the closure of access for
fishing. The lake bank would be reinstated and fishing platforms repaired and
replaced.
And plans are also in place for a new 'vitality trail' at Sefton Park
which will see a wide path with fitness equipment at regular intervals sited on
the former 1.5km pony track. The Fairy Glen water feature will also be
refurbished and there will be repairs to the watercourse and drainage
improvements. The scheme will complement the already completed upgrade of
Livingstone Drive car park, footpath repairs, tennis court refurbishment and
improvements to the Oasis cafand lakeside kiosk. The total cost of the work is
₤677,500.
Mayoral lead for parks, Councillor Peter Mitchell, said:- "We have some of
the finest parks in the country in Liverpool and we are committed to doing all
we can to encouraging more people into them. The lakes at these parks are
important focal points which attract many people to see the wildlife. Their
condition has been a concern for some time and we need to act now to improve
them."
An earlier plan for a sports and play area at Sefton Park has been placed on
hold due to concerns over affordability and its proximity to the recently
constructed Otterspool Skate Park. Instead, the funding earmarked for the scheme
will be used to pay for the work at Princes Park and Calderstones Park.
The Friends groups at both Princes Park and Calderstones Park have been
consulted with about the proposals.
The schemes will be paid for using capital receipts from the sale of assets on
an 'invest to save' basis as they will lower the ongoing cost of
maintaining the facilities. |
