A time capsule has been buried at the River Gardens to mark the installation of the new flood defences in Derby.
The time capsule, which has been lowered underneath the new amphitheatre in the River Gardens, marks the completion of the flood alleviation works and redevelopment in this area by contractor NMCN PLC.
The flood defence project, called Our City Our River, benefited from a £12 million investment from D2N2’s Local Growth Fund allocation as well as £4.61m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) invested via D2N2.
The £95million OCOR project has been developed to reduce flood risk through long-term, and sustainable economic development, creating a high-quality riverside, linking the city centre with the river.
Cllr Matthew Holmes, Deputy Leader of Derby City Council said: “The River Gardens have been neglected over the years, so it’s fantastic to see this open space redesigned and developed to be an accessible garden in the city centre.”
“The burial of this time capsule marks the work that has been completed over the past year. It’s great to get local schools, like Hardwick and Arboretum involved, as well as helping them to understand environmental factors and why the work we’re doing is so important.”
“Protecting homes and businesses is the main drive for these works, however helping to regenerate the areas next to the river will help us make the most of the asset we have and turn the city to face it.”
River Gardens
The newly designed River Gardens has created clear lines of sight in all directions, integrated seating, and made the space more accessible to residents in the city. An open-air performance space has been created in the style of an amphitheatre.
Children from Hardwick Primary School and Arboretum Primary School have added items to the time capsule, under the theme ‘100 years’ which echoes the level of protection that the new defences will have.
Pupils from Hardwick Primary School attended the burial ceremony and met with the Leader of Council and D2N2 Board member, Cllr Chris Poulter, The Mayor of the City of Derby Cllr Frank Harwood, and the Friends of the River Gardens to hear about the history of the park and work that that has been completed over the past year.
A plaque by artist Tim Clapcott, who created the Made in Derby’ plaques in the city centre, will be added to the site in the next few months.
D2N2 also funded the Made In Derby scheme as part of a £1.65m investment for Placemaking as well as the encouragement of active travel in the city.
The open space will be seasonally planted and landscaped over the next few months, with the site fully completed in the summer. The time capsule will stay in the River Gardens for the next 100 years.
As part of the redevelopment, two bronze turtles from Allestree Park, which originally sat in River Gardens, have returned as an added feature of the newly designed space.
The open space will be seasonally planted and landscaped over the next few months, with the site fully completed in the summer. The riverside path between Derwent Street and the Bus Station has now reopened for pedestrians.
