Maryon Wilson Animal Park saved from council cuts

A much-loved local animal park has been saved from council budget cuts, following a petition.

A petition to save the Animal Care Centre on Thorntree Road in Charlton, situated near to Maryon Park, gathered over 10,000 signatures.  Now the council have decided not to include the park in their cuts.

Maryon Park is hugely popular with both locals and visitors to the area. 

Cash-strapped Royal Borough of Greenwich were proposing to cut the costs of the animal centre in their budget cuts.

The animal park includes woodlands, grasslands, and streams and is home to domestic animals like sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, geese, horses and ducks and offers free public tours where visitors can feed, stroke, and handle the animals

For the last 50 years the Charlton Park Riding for Disabled ponies have been stabled there, supporting children with disabilities and their families.

In a statement, Royal Borough of Greenwich said: "Following discussions with the community, the Council has decided to explore ways to keep Maryon Wilson Animal Park open while still delivering the vital savings needed to fund frontline services.  

"Having engaged with residents, community leaders and those who run the park, we’re going to remove the proposal from this year's budget and explore ways to make sure the park stays open for years to come". 

Councillor Sandra Bauer, Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture and Communities said: “Over the last week, residents have told us that they understand the difficult decisions we have to make – but it’s been reaffirmed to us quite how cherished Maryon Wilson Animal Park is. While we do need to make savings, we’re going to rethink this approach.  

“I've heard you loud and clear. I’ve met with campaigners, and I’ve listened. I’m pleased to say that we’re going to remove the proposal and explore alternative ways to keep the park open to the public.  

“There are councils effectively going bust in this country – and while it’s not us, our priority must be protecting the frontline services that people rely on. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t listen when it matters, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.  

“The Council will have to make tough decisions to balance its budget. But, while we lobby for fairer funding and continue to look at how we deliver our services, we’ll make sure we work with you and the park to keep it open.” 

The council say they have had to find £43.4 million to close a "budget gap" and every day the cost of delivering council services across London is surging.