Derby Arboretum

LDA Design was commissioned by Derby City Council to lead the preparation of an HLF bid for the Grade II* listed Arboretum. Famous as Britain’s first park created specifically for public use, it was designed by J.C. Loudon and opened in 1840. The Arboretum was in very poor condition with derelict historic buildings and nearly all its original features lost. The project included restoration proposals to a value of £5million. We redefined and replaced park boundaries and ornamental entrances and improved the park’s overall identity with a new ‘Heart of the Park’ containing a café, sports changing and community building.