Take part in the Million Voices on-line survey:
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A new online survey gives you the chance to have your say on parks and open spaces.
The survey is run by an independent organisation called Greenstat, which aims to get an accurate picture of the nation's parks by asking the people that use them what they think. You can take part in the campaign by visiting the Greenstat website and filling out a questionnaire about our parks.
Your answers will provide valuable feedback for us when we make plans and set priorities for Hastings' green areas.
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A recent report told us what people have said about parks and open spaces in the Greenstat survey so far. More than 20,000 responses have been received to date and the results are already being used in local authorities across the country, as an indication of what local people think of their parks and open spaces.
So far in Britain's biggest ever survey about parks and open spaces, 92% of respondents said they visit parks and open spaces in the UK and 68% of these respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with their green space.
More than half of respondents visit a large park at least once a month and the majority (45%) visit the park to go for a walk. Around a quarter of respondents visit parks to relax or think and one in ten use parks as a meeting place for friends.
Just under 60% of adult respondents were happy with the facilities provided in their local park, compared to only 41% of children, who rated the facilities in their local park as good or very good.
Do you agree with the trends in the responses described above, are you happy with the facilities in your nearest park, do you think there's something we could do to make it better? Then, why not join in the Greenstat survey and help give us an even clearer picture of Hastings' parks and open spaces.
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Alexandra Park was landscaped by Robert Marnock in 1878 and has been faithfully restored through Heritage Lottery funding of £3.46m. Final completion is expected in early Spring 2005.
The park is linear in shape, linking the Town Centre with a number of residential communities. A survey in 1992 revealed that 57.7% of residents visited the park regularly in winter and as many as 70 % in Summer. A more recent survey carried out through Citizens Panel indicated 47.4% of residents visited the Park at least once per week. Numbers have certainly increased dramatically since the project has been completed.
Within the Park there is a wide variety of interest ranging from formal lawns and beds, water features, sport and recreational activities, regular events to natural areas such as natural woodland. At the northern extremity of the site is a unique gill, designated as a Local Nature Reserve, through its nature conservation importance.
Following restoration the Council has agreed to maintain the site to a high standard of maintenance and horticultural excellence, (a requirement of the Heritage Lottery Funders). To achieve this a head gardener has been employed and the contractor will be encouraged to provide other dedicated staff that will also be sensitive to the needs and involvement of the community.
A view in the Lower Park
Disabled access is possible through most of the Lower Park, disabled toilets (radar key access- obtainable from Hastings Information Centre) are situated at the tennis pavilion. A Café is open all year, restricted hours in winter. People with impaired mobility can be brought into the park in a mini bus by arrangement.
For more extensive information, visit the Alexandra Park area of this website.
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First acquired by the Council in 1902, but never re-landscaped completely until 1920. The garden is reasonably central and is close to St Leonards (a priority ward). The western side of Falaise Road is subject of a major leisure development including multi use games area, skateboarding, tennis and putting.
The site benefits from 6 bowling greens of a high standard (used for the County Finals in 2003), putting course, hard tennis courts and a skateboard facility. Many horticultural improvements have already been made with the aim of addressing Council core priorities while removing low value features. The garden includes grass areas, beds and the Oval, a larger grass area used for events.
White Rock Gardens - showing greens 1-4
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The land was purchased in 1886 and laid out as a pleasure garden by 1891. The site is well used and includes a bowls green, putting course and formal gardens. It is at the western extreme of the frontline garden displays. Recently decorative lighting has been installed.
West Marina Gardens - Looking West
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St Leonards Gardens was a new winner of the Green Flag award this year, joining Hastings Country Park in its third successive year and Alexandra Park retained the Green Flag and Green Heritage Award for the fifth successive year.
St Leonards Gardens were created around a wooded valley originally known as the Old Woman's Tapshaw. The Gardens represent a unique page in English architectural history. Like Regent's Park, which James Burton had helped to create in the 1820s, villas are scattered in and around the Gardens, forming the integrated landscape of a residential park.
Picturesque style houses, delighted early visitors to St Leonards and still do today. Residents of the villas could gain access to the Gardens as if they were a private estate. Later they became subscription Gardens accessible for a fee. Acquired by the Hastings Corporation in 1880 they have since become a public space for all to enjoy.
Recently renovated with the aid of a Heritage Lottery Fund grant, the Gardens today offer a tranquil oasis in the Maze Hill area of St Leonards, with views to the sea. The scheme has been designed to provide colour all year round with a mixture of herbaceous plants, shrubs, bulbs and trees clustered together. A central feature is the ornamental pond with water lilies. The park is also rich with wildlife. At the south entrance is a listed building, called South Lodge with a Doric arch. This is home to the Burtons' St Leonards Society, and houses an informative exhibition that makes an excellent introduction to a walk around both the Gardens and the surrounding area.
Visit the St Leonards Gardens Restoration area for more information.
View to the sea, with the Royal Victoria Hotel in the background
For information on James and Decimus Burton, creators of Burton St Leonards visit the St Leonards Gardens - Burton St Leonards area of this website.
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The garden was purchased by the Council in 1872 and landscaped by the then Borough Surveyor, William Andrews. Little is recorded on the history of the site. It has been subject to numerous improvements during the last 10 years. It is within a priority ward and is a rare and valuable open space within the neighbourhood.
It consists of shrub, and flower beds, trees, grass areas and an equipped playground suitable for children up to the age of 14.
Gensing Gardens playground
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The site was opened as a subscription garden in 1852. The Council purchased a strip of land at the southernmost tip to erect a statue of Queen Victoria in 1902. All but the uppermost rose garden was acquired by the Council in 1920; the upper garden being donated to the Council in 1930.
Recent improvements include major re-landscaping and wall restoration, completed in 2001. The lower section was completely re-laid following extensive excavation by Southern Water.
Left: Warrior Square - middle garden; Right: Warrior Square - lower garden
Frontline Gardens (1.9 Ha): All re-landscaped in the last 12 years following repeated storm and seawater damage, (coastal defence work has successfully reduced the problem). The areas are high profile and include seasonal bedding protected by walls and shrub planting (acting as a windbreak) and box mown grass. Seafront planters are also used to add interest to the promenade areas. A high standard of maintenance is achieved. Frontline Gardens - floral displays Amherst Gardens (1.02 Ha): The Hastings and St Leonards Lawn Tennis Club moved to the site in 1895; the Amherst Tennis Club lease part of the site today. The garden consists of grass and shrub borders. Wellington Square (.33 Ha): Laid out in 1824 and remained as a subscription garden until post 1945. Today it is a busy garden and thoroughfare to the town centre. Consists of a small area of grass and shrub/flower border. West Hill and Castle Grounds (7.7 Ha): A large open space popular with visitors, which has excellent views of the fisherman’s beach, access to "Smuggler’s Adventure" and Hastings Castle. The site includes a childrens’ playground and is situated in a conservation area. West Hill
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This page last updated: 01/05/2008