Earlier this year over 400 members of the local community responded to Swindon Borough Council’s online survey to explain why GWR Park on Faringdon Road is important and what needs to change.

The council has now prepared a draft Conservation Management Plan that takes on board people’s views and sets out how the park will be managed in the future.

Please have your say and tell the council if you agree with the vision and suggested improvements to the park by completing the second online survey between 14th -30th July.

GWR Park has been an important part of Swindon’s Railway Village life since the 1840s when it became a cricket field for its residents.

The park once contained many facilities including a cricket pavilion, glasshouses and a bandstand. Community events became an important part of the park’s calendar and from 1866 it hosted the annual Children’s Fête, which by 1907 was attended by 40,000 people. Every child under the age of 14 was admitted for free and received a slice of cake.

Today the park is managed by South Swindon Parish (Central Swindon South). So help them plan for the future by taking part in this survey.

This project has been funded by Historic England through the Heritage Action Zone which is seeking to revitalise Swindon’s Railway Village and much-loved historic assets like GWR Park.

Visit this weblink to have your say: swindon.gov.uk/gwrparksurvey

To request a paper survey phone 07392 109774 or email kphimister@swindon.gov.uk