Visit our parks and open spaces

Improvement works and Hesketh Bark update

We know our public parks are hugely important to local people and we are committed to keep them healthy and flourishing.

As part of that we carry out ground surveys and it’s been recommended that we undertake some work to ensure the future health of the surface and subsoil at Hesketh Park. We’re delighted that the park is so popular but it is now in need of new top soil and re-seeding.

There’s never a good time to interrupt the daily life of a public park and there’s no denying that the work will cause some inconvenience for park visitors, but we’re committed to invest in the park for the long term.

The good news is that the work doesn’t have to be done very often and once completed, Hesketh Park will be ready to serve the community for decades more.

We did consider spreading the work over several seasons but this would only extend the period of disruption and mean contractors and machinery would be on site longer. We have therefore decided to complete the project in one phase. We have chosen this time so the most intensive work takes place when the park is quieter and the new growth can take hold in the Spring.  

It means that much of the main park will be fenced off from September 2024 until Spring 2025. Our plan is to keep as much of the peripheral area of the park as open and accessible as possible. All the usual entry points will remain open and a circular walkway will ensure visitors can access the park facilities, play areas and attractions.

We appreciate that dog walkers in particular will miss the open space so you may have noticed that we have brought forward the opening of the Hesketh Bark activity area for dogs. We know it's no replacement for the wider park, but we hope you'll understand that one of the reasons for carrying out this work is to ensure the park remains free from soil-borne diseases and continues to be a healthy space for animals. The restriction of dog walking space is entirely temporary.

Please look out for signage and updates as the project progresses. If you have any questions about the work we are doing or about Hesketh Park more generally, please email us at parks2@dartford.gov.uk.

Hesketh Park

Like many other parks around Dartford, Hesketh Park has a wildflower meadow and orchard as part of a borough-wide initiative to improve biodiversity. This scheme means there are more pollination corridors throughout Dartford, which help support local wildlife.

During the creation of the wildflower meadow, meticulous turf rolling prepared the ground for a new seeded seed mix to take root without the competition of already well-established grasses. This strategic approach not only ensures long-term soil improvements but also cultivates a high-quality habitat with a substantial carbon capture capacity. Additionally, it offers a year-round sanctuary for insects, helping stabilize their populations.

The natural beauty of these additions not only enhances the park's aesthetic but has been proven to contribute to the well-being of visitors. Furthermore, the orchard trees yield delicious fruit in late summer and early autumn, ready to be picked and savoured.

When picking the fruit, please be considerate of fellow park goers and leave any surplus for others to enjoy.

Hesketh Park will be unlocked at 6.30am. Locking commences at the following times during the year.

Outside of these hours a vehicle release service will operate for which there will be a charge.