THE importance of Okehampton's Simmons Park has been recognised by English Heritage which has entered it on a new register of parks and gardens of special historical interest.
Okehampton Town Council is delighted with the park's new status which will increase its awareness and encourage its protection and conservation.
The aim of the register, which includes 200 urban parks nationwide, is to draw attention to the importance of such parks and to ensure that planning applications which may affect the park are given special consideration.
While the people of Okehampton have always valued the park, its national importance only became clear following an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for works which are now in progress.
A rededication of Simmons Park took place on Saturday, 95 years after it was originally opened by the Lord Mayor of London, an associate of the donor and local boy made good Sydney Simmons.
English Heritage praised the park in particular as 'a significant example of an early twentieth century public park, laid out in picturesque style retaining associated buildings and good structural planting'.
The current restoration works, which are part of a £400,000 project, include repairs to the shelters, bridges, water garden and
fountains, replanting of flower beds and reinstatement of iron railings removed during world war two.
Mayor of Okehampton Christine Marsh said the park, often described as the 'jewel in Okehampton's crown', would never be allowed to become neglected again.
'Money has not been spent on the park in the past and it has suffered,' she said. 'Unfortunately, there have always been so many demands on the town's money, but the heritage lottery grant has enabled us to kick—start the regeneration of the park.
'We see it as quite a privilege to get this Grade II listing and it will mean every council in the future has to keep it looking beautiful.'