Steps have been taken to honour the importance of an historic public space as Worthing Borough Council registers Beach House Park as a community asset.
The Worthing park has been subject to a number of improvements over the past year, which where recognised in the awarding of the prestigious international quality mark, the Green Flag, in the 2020 awards.
A building or land is considered an 'Asset of Community Value' if it furthers the social wellbeing or interests of the local community, or could do so in the future.
If either a building or land is registered as such it means that before an asset can be sold community organisations are given the time to prepare a bid and raise any funds necessary, should it ever be up for sale.
Preserving and enhancing public open spaces such as Beach House Park are both key elements in the Platforms For Our Places: Going Further agenda, which sets out the Councils' role in developing places and communities until 2022.
The park itself has been registered as such an asset, but the car parking areas, cafe and Bowls Club Pavilion have not, as they are either not ancillary to the park or the Council has already granted leases to third parties.
Councillor Edward Crouch, Worthing's Executive Member for Digital and Environmental Services, said, “By registering Beach House Park as an Asset of Community Value, the Council is recognising the importance of this historic park that is enjoyed by thousands of visitors.
“Users of the public space should see this move as a clear steer towards our commitment to maintaining and improving open public spaces, which remains a really important part of the Council's work.
“This is further demonstrated by the enhancements our dedicated parks team have carried out at Beach House Park, to ensure it remains a much-loved open space for years to come. We are always looking to improve biodiversity at the site so it can adapt to the continuous effects of climate change.”
Beach House Park was purchased from the Beach House Estate in 1922 and opened to the public in spring 1924.
Improvements recognised in the Green Flag judging last year included new planting, footpath clearing and the introduction of new signage to improve the visitor experience.
A Yew hedge stretching 117 metres at the park has also been installed, which embraces the heritage of the open space while helping absorb pollution from neighbouring roads.
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