The Town Centre Gardens have picked up the prestigious best conservation and heritage title at the Landscape Institute Awards.
The award comes following the completion of the restoration project funded by the Heritage Lottery’s Parks for People Programme.
After the gardens – originally constructed in 1959 – became run down, Stevenage Borough Council’s redevelopment saw the pond overhauled and given a new bridge, the Women and Doves statue restored with new pumps for the fountain and a new sensory garden and play area introduced. The area also now has better lighting and access and new interpretation and notice boards.
The Landscape Institute judge described the redevelopment of the gardens as “A landmark project in terms of recognising the importance of post war design. It is a sophisticated but modest approach that is faithful to the principles of the original design.”