Parklands

Greening the Gateway Kent and Medway successfully bid for more than £10million of central government funding to create or enhance five major public green spaces throughout North Kent, from Dartford to Sittingbourne, offering superb recreational opportunities as well as protecting or enhancing local biodiversity and wildlife. The value of the total schemes was match-funded by a further 40 per cent.

The five projects were influenced by the Cluster Studies, which worked with local stakeholders to identify where change was taking place and what their aspirations were for the environment.

The Parklands programme is a strategic initiative championed by the Communities and Local Government. Building upon the Greening the Gateway Strategy (2004), it aims to ensure the Gateway becomes known as a flagship for sustainable living.

The five parkland schemes are due to be completed by March 2011. They are:

Dartford Greenheart: development and expansion of the town's Central Park, with new paths, visitors' centre and habitat restoration

Cyclopark: a new 37ha activity park between Dartford and Gravesend, on land between the new and old A2, plus 10ha of restored habitat

Great Expectations: the restoration of part of the Thames-Medway Canal in Gravesham, plus new green space and cyclepaths

Milton Creek: more than 50ha of new public open space in Sittingbourne, linking the town with the creek, enhancing wildlife areas and opening up public access to the creek

Great Lines Heritage Park: shortlisted for World Heritage Site status, this is Medway Council's flagship project to restore an important historical area, which includes habitat restoration, new paths and access, new furniture and interpretation, and events.