Champions wanted for treasured city park

A new group says it is hoping to protect a beloved city park which is home to 100 acres of "stunning landscapes" and "rich Roman history".

Verulamium Park in St Albans, Hertfordshire, is a popular tourist spot welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.

The local council owns the park and is planning to spend £2.2m on improvements, including £25,000 of proceeds from the film Wonka, which shot a scene in Verulamium.

"People really love the park, but they're a bit upset – it's looking a little tired at the moment," said Bill Free, the chair of the new Friends of Verulamium Park group.

"I like the lake and river, but they've been a bit sad in recent times."

The group said it wanted "to give a voice to all park users" and enhance the area's wildlife and "natural beauty".

"It's a lovely park; it's got a nice look back over St Albans and you can see the cathedral," said Mr Free.

"There's a large playground, a splash park in summer; it's got wildlife and the Roman wall. People really value its presence."

He said although there had been issues with the quality of the lake and littering, "actually the council and Environment Agency are doing an awful lot for the park".

St Albans City and District Council set up a green space action plan which included the idea of a "friends group", he explained.

"It's very common, most parks in London have this.

"We hope to be able to help the council spend their funds in a way that suits the people who use the park."

Group members will be asked to pay £10 per year to help fund things like information boards and litter picks.

"We're going to largely rely on voluntary activity but we'd like a fund to be able to do things," Mr Free added.

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