Maryon Wilson Animal Park in Charlton will be funded by Greenwich Council until at least 2030, heading off the threat of closure for now, campaigners have been told.
The announcement came nearly two years after the council announced plans to either close or hive off the much-loved animal park – the second threat to the park in 14 years.
Over 11,000 people signed a petition against the proposal and the council quickly backtracked after being faced with a protest outside the town hall, pledging to “explore ways to make sure the park stays open for years to come”.
After being asked by local resident Gary Dark, who helped campaign against the park’s closure, about the council’s future plans, Adel Khaireh, the cabinet member for culture, equalities and leisure, said the council would continue to “operate and fund the animal park throughout this administration” – guaranteeing its future until the next council election in May 2030.
“We recognise the importance that the facility plays in the community for both adults and young people,” he added in a written response. “We will continue to work with the community to identify new ways to support the facility.”
Dark spoke in the council meeting on Wednesday to thank councillors for “this fantastic news, which we weren’t expecting”.
He also thanked local residents and The Greenwich Wire “for highlighting this and the good work we’ve done to keep it on the radar”,
Maryon Wilson Park celebrated its centenary this year, while the animal park dates back to 1928, when Sir Spencer Maryon-Wilson, the landowner who handed over the park to the people of London, donated a herd of deer.
Today the park has about 90 animals, including sheep, goats and ducks. In 2011 the council tried to spin the park off into a charity, but that failed and it was eventually brought back under town hall control.
About 200 people visited events that marked the park’s centenary earlier this year, Dark said.
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