One of the schemes proposed as a suitable Millennium Project for Ilkley involves the transformation of a public open space known as West View Park, formerly a municipal park and pleasure ground, but now in a somewhat neglected state.

An environmentally sympathetic programme of scrub clearance and replanting, together with the conversion of existing man-made features and construction of some new ones, would be a highly suitable and attractive option for the future of this site.

In view of its close associations with Charles Darwin (described in more detail below) it is proposed to incorporate features linking Darwin's contributions to natural history, together with several important themes from Ilkley's history.

The completed project would provide an attractive, enduring and inspiring addition to Ilkley's heritage, with an appropriately Millennial theme, and has been provisionally referred to as the 'Darwin Gardens Scheme'.

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