Plastic bottles to beautiful boardwalk - Mayor of Kingston officially opens Six Acre Meadow walkway
The Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Sushila Abraham, has officially opened a new 70 metre long boardwalk made from recycled plastic in Surbiton.
One of the Borough’s oldest hay meadows, and the inspirational setting for Sir John Everett Millais ‘Ophelia’ painting, now boasts a new and improved walkway thanks to funding provided by Kingston Council as part of its Community Grants Programme.
The Mayor and Kingston Council’s Biodiversity Officer, Elliot Newton were met with smiles and wellies on Sunday (4 July) as a small group of residents joined the socially distanced event.
Following the official opening ceremony, Elliot provided an overview of the wildlife in the area and together with residents participated in a ‘Balsam Bash’.
The meadow, situated near Tolworth train station on the south-eastern border of Alexandra ward provides an important habitat for a wide range of species including hoverflies, butterflies and bumble bees.
The new walkway is made from recycled material also known as ‘end-of-life plastic’ as it has reached its recycling limit. The 70 metre long boardwork has diverted more than 50,000 plastic bottles from landfill.
The Mayor of Kingston officially declared the new walkway open on Sunday (4 July) with an environmentally friendly ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Speaking at the event the Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Sushila Abraham said:
I am delighted to officially declare the new Six Acre Meadow boardwalk open.
The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown has demonstrated the important role our local greenspaces play in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our communities.
We are so fortunate to have this natural heritage on our doorsteps and the new walkway will ensure this area is accessible to everyone, of all ages, to enjoy now and for years to come.
This really is a special location - it’s where Sir John Everett Millais painted the background to his famous piece Ophelia in 1851. And as one of the borough’s oldest hay meadows, it’s home to a wealth of exciting biodiversity.
The new boardwalk forms a circular loop from the wild meadow into the woodland providing the community and local conservation groups with enhanced and safer access to all of this magnificent green space!
Visit this webpage for more information on Kingston Council’s Community Grants programme.