The Parks

One of the most attractive features of Ashford is its acres of green, open spaces.

Incredible areas of outstanding natural beauty surround the town, and the borough's picturesque rural villages are tempting more and more people looking for a slice of country life away from the city.

Ashford’s growth plans include the need to increase the number of public open spaces around the town, with provision for natural, family-friendly spaces and pathways throughout.

To help meet this target, plans are underway to create new country parks for the town, to attract both local residents and visitors from further afield, and to improve foot and cycle access around the town.

Plans already underway include parks are:

• Conningbrook Lakes - a new country park based around the existing lakes at Conningbrook, with water-based leisure, nature walks and reserves, a new piazza and restaurant, and strong links to the adjacent Julie Rose Athletics Stadium.
• Willesborough Dykes (south east Ashford) - a nature conservation park focusing on natural-themed walks and encouraging bio-diversity, and includes a 1.6km foot and cycle route connecting Park Farm to the town.

There is a vision to build on these projects to create a 'green necklace’ of open spaces around the town, including the proposed Discovery Park at Chilmington Green, which could include events and sports field, performance spaces, formal gardens, a play park, organic farm and arts centre. 

Sometimes crisp and urban, sometimes soft and green, these spaces will change in style according to the neighbourhood they pass through, and will create a stunning green circle around the town for people to enjoy, whether on their way to work or on a day out.