A £3 million project to improve Beckenham Place Park is nearing completion.

The works, which began in November 2023, include improvements to the River Ravensbourne, a reduction of flood risk, and the addition of new facilities.

The project has been funded by Lewisham Council, the Environment Agency, and the Mayor of London’s Green and Resilient Spaces Fund.

The improvements to the river channel and support for volunteering are being delivered in partnership with environmental charity Thames21.

The Mayor of Lewisham, Brenda Dacres, was joined by children from Downderry School to celebrate the improvement works.

They were joined by Mete Coban MBE, London’s Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, Deputy Mayor Louise Krupski, Janet Daby MP, local councillors, and project partners including the Environment Agency, Thames21, contractors T Loughman & Co, and BDP Landscape Architects.

Key improvements to the River Ravensbourne aim to reduce flood risk, improve water quality, and increase biodiversity habitats for wildlife.

Thames21 is encouraging local people to learn more about their park and river, and to actively contribute to their upkeep.

The children were shown trays of riverfly, invertebrates that spend most of their life cycle in a river, stream, pond, or lake, to learn about the health of the river.

The celebrations also included rubber duck races down the river, hosted by Lead Ranger James Allen and Thames21’s Catriona Ross, and a visit to the new playground.

The project has included extensive new landscaping, new planting, and rewilding of the east side of the park with lowland meadows and wildlife-rich ponds.

These areas have space to accommodate stormwater to reduce flood risk.

A new playground and multi-use game area have been added, along with new and improved footpaths and wayfinding.

The off-road cycling trail and outdoor gym will be finished soon, and there will be an improved main entrance from Old Bromley Road.

The new park café planned will have publicly accessible toilets.

Brenda Dacres, Mayor of Lewisham, said: "It was fantastic to be at Beckenham Place Park with so many of our brilliant volunteers and partners.

"Thank you for everything that you do to protect and enhance our green spaces and wetlands in the borough.

"I’m excited to see these improvement works at Beckenham Place Park in person."

Mete Coban, London Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, said: "This outstanding project showcases how improvements to green space can help Londoners to access and enjoy nature, improve biodiversity, and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

"Sadiq has pledged to turbo-charge restoring nature to London’s rivers and waterways and this transformation of the River Ravensbourne is a great example of what can be achieved."

Councillor Louise Krupski, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Climate Action, said: "The climate emergency has increased the frequency and intensity of more extreme weather events and protecting our urban rivers is a key priority for the council.

"The flood mitigation project is fantastic, protecting 822 homes from flooding in the immediate vicinity as well as giving significant flood protection to homes and businesses downstream and to the road and rail network."

Two weeks ago, Lewisham was rated the top performing London borough for its parks service in the Good Parks for London Report 2024.

Lewisham recently won three gold awards for parks and conservation areas at the London in Bloom Awards 2024.

The borough also won three silver gilt awards recognising its small parks and nature reserves.

Lewisham’s parks and green spaces successfully retained all 23 Green Flags this year, the awards given to the very best green spaces around the world.

In addition, Beckenham Place Park achieved the prestigious Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Historic England.