The Future
As with much urban parkland, The Forest has been threatened by development. Proposals for a recreation centre, to be built on the eastern fringes of The Forest, were rejected following public opposition to loss of green space. However, mature trees and greenery at the northwest corner of the ground have been cut down to provide 989 parking spaces for the Park & Ride that serves the "Forest" stop for Nottingham Express Transit.
As at summer 2008, The Forest was the subject of a public consultation to decide on regeneration priorities, to be funded by an expected Heritage Lottery Fund award. For the last four years, Nottingham City Council and Nottingham's Partnership Council have worked on plans to restore the parkland to its former glory and to better serve the needs of today's park users. The project is also backed by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) and by local organisations such as Friends of the Forest.
Plans currently include restoring the lodge and the pavilion, repairing footpaths, improving access to sporting facilities, improving lighting and security, more planting and better activity areas for young people.
Read more about this topic: Forest Recreation Ground
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—George Gordon Noel Byron (1788–1824)