The Isle of Wight Council has begun work to restore parts of historic Appley Park in Ryde to its original landscape look. Appley Park was designed by Humphry Repton in 1798 and has had a variety of uses over the years, most recently hosting a pitch and putt facility.
Now the pitch and putt facility is no longer in use the council intends to return the ground to a form much closer to what is thought to be the original appearance of the park. This will make the area more accessible as a public open space and improve its use by a wider group of people than before.
The works should be completed by December and involve removing the raised greens, with new areas then being reseeded. The work is being carried out now as it is outside of the main user period and the areas being worked on will grow back by spring next year.
The works are being funded from contributions made by developers to improve open spaces as part of planning agreements and cost £9000.
The majority of the park remains open to the public during the works. Any areas being worked on have been fenced off, with part of the upper car park at Appley Park closed to accommodate construction vehicles.
