00:00A small gem of a park in Maidstone has just celebrated its 25th anniversary.
00:07Opened in 2001 by human rights activist Sir Terry Waite and the then Mayor Pauline Stockel
00:16as part of the Millennium celebrations, Maidstone Borough Council has invited the community to
00:24Watman Park to mark the occasion. 25 years ago I'm a Maidstone born and bred but I was actually
00:32working in working in California and a friend of mine who lived very close to the park invited us
00:37over to take a tour just after it had opened so it seems it seems a short time ago but
00:43that was
00:43actually 25 years ago and it's just lovely for anyone with families I've got children that are
00:49now a little bit younger a little bit older but when they were young we used to walk along enjoy
00:53the river it's just a nice place to be out and about. Behind me is one of Watman Park's most
00:59iconic
00:59features its double helix which was designed by Scottish artist David Annard. When the park first
01:08opened hundreds of children's handprints were added to an art installation and many of them now adults
01:17came down to join the festivities. It's really cool to be back here I've been here a few times
01:23since the 25 years ago which it happened my hands have grown a little bit since then they were only
01:29about this big and now they're fully grown size so that's great to see but yeah it's surreal to be
01:34honest I remember coming by here at various points in my childhood in my teenage years and now in my
01:40adulthood and it's great to see that the park still enjoyed by tons of people to be honest so happy
01:46day.
01:46The investment that went into making the park in the first place was a huge thing for the council and
01:52all the
01:52different organisations that were involved it was really an honour to be able to put something on
01:59for the 25th anniversary as a way of marking that occasion because we're still here 25 years later
02:06the park is still in excellent condition and it's a great resource for the people of Maidstone. 25 years
02:11later much may have changed but the legacy of this park is still remembered. Henry Luck for KNTV in Maidstone.
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