Hundreds of people joined City of Lincoln Council in celebrating the completion of the Boultham Park Lake Restoration Project at an ‘Enlightenment’ event over the weekend.
On Sunday 20 March, City of Lincoln Council, together with the Lumo Workshops team, Popcorn Media and A Different Light Collective held the ‘Enlightenment Event’ at the park to celebrate the completion of the restoration, which has been supported and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and FCC Communities Foundation.
As part of the event, Year 4 and 5 school children at Sir Francis Hill Primary School and children from Lincoln Mosque and Cultural Centre worked with Artists from Lumo Workshops to create Lilypad-inspired light sculptures, which floated on the lake.
Alongside the lit-up water lilies, visitors to the event were able to experience a new way of seeing the lake by walking the illuminated trail – with characteristic features of the park highlighted.
The trail around the newly restored lakeside was lit up with different coloured areas, from red, orange and yellow, to green, blue, indigo and violet.
Visitors were able to witness the beacon alight, nature-inspired projections on trees, creative shadow-making zones and the opportunity to get lost in local people’s memories of the park.
Visitors were also able to see a new living frame feature designed by local artists.
This event celebrated the completion of Boultham Park’s Lake Restoration, which has been funded by the £658,700 given to City of Lincoln Council by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and £58,969 from FCC Communities Foundation, along with city council direct funding.
Cllr Bob Bushell, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place at City of Lincoln Council said: “What a fantastic event, which welcomed visitors from the local area and further afield.
“I’d like to especially thank The National Lottery Heritage Fund and FCC Communities Foundation for their contribution to this much-needed project, and to the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust for their advice and ongoing support.
“A special mention should also be made for the staff who have worked tirelessly on this project in enhancing this remarkable place, which we are all very proud of, and to the volunteers who have helped with the restoration and continue to play a part in restoring, improving and maintaining Boultham Park.”
FCC Communities Foundation is a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community projects through the Landfill Communities Fund.
Cheryl Raynor, FCC Communities Foundation Local Grant Manager said: “We are delighted to have supported the council to bring this project to fruition. The event showcased the work undertaken and allowed the community to see the results of many months of hard work from everyone involved. Visitors to the park will now be able to enjoy the improvements for many years to come.”
For more information about FCC Communities Foundation funding contact Cheryl Raynor at cheryl.raynor@fcccommunitiesfoundation.org.uk or visit http://www.fcccommunitiesfoundation.org.uk