Community-led restoration of formal borders at Water Tower Gardens

Residents are leading an initiative to restore formal borders at Water Tower Gardens in Chester.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is supporting the project, marking the first stage in a wider community driven regeneration of this historic city centre park.

The existing shrubs within the borders have become woody, tired, and no longer growing to their full potential. As a result, the borders no longer reflect the park’s formal layout or provide the visual quality and clear sightlines that visitors expect from an urban garden of this type.

Residents and stakeholders have expressed a clear desire to see the borders refreshed so that the gardens can once again look their best.

The project has been developed by the Water Tower Gardens Working Group, made up of residents living around the park, the onsite bowling team, Vivo Care Choices, ward councillors, and other local partners under the Garden Quarter Residents’ Association.

The group has taken a leading role in shaping the project and aims eventually to establish itself as a formal “Friends of” organisation.

Matt Baker, co-chair, Garden Quarter Community Association said:

"The Water Tower Gardens is a much loved place by people who live in close proximity and those in the wider neighbourhood. It is exciting that there is opportunity to make the first steps in making it a better place for all. We already have a team of residents, bowlers, dog walkers, teenagers, scouts and school children who want to be part of this brighter future for our park.”

To prepare for replanting, the borders will soon be carefully cleared back to bare ground, with timing chosen to minimise impact on wildlife. The park’s mature holly trees, which form a defining feature of the parks design, will be retained, with only the older planting beneath them being removed.

In a positive move for sustainability, a local composting company has offered to remove the majority of green waste generated during the clearance, compost it off‑site, and return the finished compost for reuse in the renewed borders, ensuring that material taken from the gardens will be recycled back into the park.

The Council is funding the initial clearance and will provide support from landscape architect team, who will work with the Working Group to develop a refreshed planting scheme that reflects community aspirations and respects the historic character of the gardens.

Although broader funding is limited at present, completing this first phase will enable the Council and the Working Group to begin shaping a long term masterplan for the wider park and seek future funding opportunities.

These improvements align with national Safer Parks for Women and Girls guidance, which highlights the importance of clear sightlines and visibility in helping people feel safe. Renewing the borders will open up views across the gardens and contribute to a safer, more inviting space for everyone.

Cllr Stuart Bingham, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Neighbourhood Pride said:

“I’m delighted to see residents leading the way in shaping the future of Water Tower Gardens. Their commitment and enthusiasm have driven this project from the start. Our staff do a great job of maintaining our open spaces, but we will do all we can to support residents who show this level of pride in their own neighbourhoods. 

“I want to give a heartfelt thanks to the all the residents who are working on this project, they are making this much-loved corner of Chester better for everyone.”

Local councillors are active members of the Working Group and also support this resident-led approach to revitalising Water Tower Gardens.

Pictured - Water Tower Gardens Community Group.