The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund (BIG) have announced that three historic parks are set to receive a share of more than £9m through the Parks for People programme.

Lloyd and Aveling Park in Walthamstow, London, has been awarded nearly £3.5m towards a scheme to restore park's historic features, rejuvenate the landscape and enhance wildlife habitats throughout the 12-hectare (30-acre) park. A new café and a gallery and community space are also planned. Walsall Arboretum in the West Midlands, which first opened in 1874, will receive a £4.57m grant to help fund restoration work on the park's Grade II-listed boathouse, the clock tower and a bandstand, as well as two lakes.

A Grade II*-listed Garden Pavilion and children's play areas will undergo work at Hillworth Park in Devizes, Wiltshire, after it secured £1.2m from the HLF and BIG, while a new volunteer ranger scheme will also be introduced. HLF chief executive Carole Souter said: "People often look to their local public park as a place to get fit, spend more time with family and friends or just take time out for calm reflection.

"HLF and BIG continue to invest in parks because we know that people really benefit from all these sorts of activities and from having green open spaces to enjoy." Environmentalist and broadcaster Chris Packham added: "We know what a big difference a well-maintained park can make to people's lives and this investment from HLF and BIG will do just that by making these three parks just that little bit more special for visitors."

Image: Hillworth Park, Devizes