Grounds Maintenance Free Public Access

A scheme which is overwhelmingly hard landscape construction e.g. paved surfaces, in both cost and extent (may include small soft elements) with a total construction cost including materials to fit within the following: 

idverde - PRINCIPAL AWard WINNER 2018

colchester castle park

Originally opened in 1892, Castle Park has a rich cultural heritage and is Grade II Listed in the Historic Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Importance. The contractor has been responsible for grounds maintenance in the park since April 2016.

The park extends to 11 hectares and experiences high footfall, hosting between 60 and 65 public events throughout the year, including music concerts.

A head gardener and his team of five gardeners and a cleansing operative maintain the extensive (70,500m2) grassed areas and shrub borders, plant and maintain 38,800 bedding plants, maintain the many hanging baskets, cut and clear wildflower areas, and carry out hedge cutting and tree maintenance. Litter picking, bin emptying, path sweeping, maintenance of the boating lake, toilet block cleansing, and locking and unlocking of the park gates each day are also the contractor’s responsibility.

Castle Park is renowned for its seasonal flower displays, especially the elaborate annual three-dimensional bedding display that graces the park entrance each year. This display is co-sponsored and co-designed by idverde and Colchester Borough Council, with a new theme each year.