A PUBLIC meeting on the future of an endangered park was fully attended – despite another one being packed-out down the road.

Around 100 people filled the Churchill Room at Wanstead Library to discuss the future of Wanstead Park and Wanstead Flats on Friday, January 13.

The meeting was attended by Epping Forest’s superintendent Paul Thomson, chairman of the Friends of Wanstead Parklands (FOWP) John Meehan, and Labour MP for Leyton and Wanstead John Cryer.

Deputy FOWP chairman Jo Blackman said there was “strong turnout” for the meeting, despite it taking place at the same time Wanstead Scout Hut filled up for the Snaresbrook Conservatives' meeting on parking.

Mr Thomson reiterated his plans to proceed with submitting a bid for a £5 million Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant to improve facilities around both “at risk” parks.

Residents expressed concerns about land managers City of London Corporation (CoCL)’s lack of investment in paths, play facilities, and general maintenance.

Labour Cllr for Wanstead Sheila Bain was backed by her Parliamentary colleague John Cryer in supporting the HLF bid and calls for other improvements.