Jul
25
2013

NEWS: The Level Re-Opening This Weekend

An article by Claire

The first areas of The Level park are due to open this Friday 26th July, at 5pm. The park, which lays behind the London Road in the Lewes Road Triangle neighbourhood, has undergone at £2m restoration with funding won from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund ‘Parks for People’ programme.

The park closed in October 2012 for the substantial works which include a new wheeled sports/ skate park, childrens playground complete with jet fountains, cafe, petanque terrain and outdoor chess area as well as the restoration of many of the original features of the 1920s park design.

This Friday at 5pm the south end of the park will open, namely the water fountains, pavilions, sensory gardens and pétanque terrain, and the new skate park. The grand opening of the completed restoration is Saturday 28th September, 11am.

We asked nearby local residents what it means for them to have The Level back open and revamped.

Fiona, Hanover, “We’re sooo looking forward to it we can’t wait to get in the playground. I don’t think it’ll take long for the graffiti artists paint up the walls though.”

Liz, Lewes Road area. “I’ve been watching the renovations every week for the last 9 months and I can’t wait to get back in there with my two children. You’ll see us there first thing this Saturday morning! It’s my closest park and I used to go there once or twice a week with my children, so I have really missed it. Regarding the plans, I couldn’t see any point objecting to them, even if they weren’t exactly what I wanted, no-one is going to turn their nose up at a million pound renovation of their local park! I can’t wait till the cafe opens - I’ll probably go there twice a week and get very fat eating cake.”

Stephen, Roundhill. “I love The Level and I’ve missed it. I’m sure it will be better than ever when it re-opens. The kids area looks great and I’m really glad they haven’t changed the big grassy area too much.”

Amanda, Seven Dials. “Every time we have walked/driven past for the last 2 months Georgia has said ‘Mummy its nearly finished!! ‘ She will be one excited girl when I take her next week.”

There’s still plenty of restoration activities to get involved in from history and heritage, gardening, sports and markets. Find out how you can join in on the council’s webpage. The parks project team have been putting out a monthly newsletter, July’s issue gives you all the latest news and developments.