Brighton & Hove City Council is asking residents to help choose a permanent name for the new West Hove seafront park being created through the Kingsway to the Sea project.
Kingsway to the Sea is regenerating the underused facilities and green spaces on the seafront in West Hove, creating a new park stretching from Hove Lagoon to the King Alfred Leisure Centre.
According to the council, it will “provide new and improved sports and leisure facilities; easier access for all to new gardens, activity and relaxation spaces; new and refurbished toilets; and increased biodiversity”.
In December the council asked for suggestions for potential names through social media posts. The criteria for suggestions were that they reflect the area’s history and location, were no more than three words or 15 letters long and didn’t contain apostrophes.
From over 250 responses suggested by local residents, community groups and via social media they have selected nine potential names with the highest nominations that meet the criteria and are short and easy to use:
Dean Mahomed Park
Hove Beach Park
King Alfred Park
Kings Park
Kingsway Park
Mary Clarke Park
Sassoon Park
West Beach Park
West Hove Park
Councillor Julie Cattell, Lead Member for Major Projects, said: “Throughout this project we’ve listened and have worked with the community and businesses to make sure we deliver what is most important to them. So it’s only right that residents get the chance to help choose the permanent name for this wonderful new park.
“Predominantly funded by the government’s Levelling Up Fund, this will be an amazing new public park with facilities residents and visitors alike will enjoy.
“This vote is a unique opportunity to put your stamp on the project and I hope as many people as possible get involved in choosing the name.”
Among the name options chosen, Kingsway is the road running north of the park, while King Alfred originally references the HMS King Alfred naval training centre established when the leisure centre site was commandeered in World War II.
Dean Mahomed was a British-Indian traveller, soldier, surgeon and entrepreneur who famously settled in Brighton and introduced Indian cuisine, baths and shampooing to Europe. He ultimately became known as ‘Dr. Brighton’.
Mary Clarke was co-founder and local Brighton organiser of the Women’s Social and Political Union who dedicated her life to campaigning for women’s right to vote.
Flora Reuben Sassoon was a member of a Baghdadi-Jewish merchant family who made her home in Hove and contributed to the development of St Ann’s Wells Garden.
The closing date for voting is midnight on February 6. The name with the highest vote will be put forward for approval by councillors. To cast your vote CLICK HERE
