Lower Leas Coastal Park

In 1784, a landslip created a new strip of land between the beach and the cliffside, the length of the coast from Folkestone Harbour to Sandgate. A ribbon of land a few meters wide. In 1828, the Earl of Radnor built a toll road providing an easy route between Folkestone harbour and Sandgate. The original toll road costs were - motor car 10p, motorcycle with sidecar 2 and 1/2 p, motorcycle 2p, bicycle, horse and handcart 1/2 p. On either side of the toll road, land was cultivated and grazed. Old field boundaries are still used within the park, and the 'Cow Path' is the old drove route from The Leas. In 1877, a series of paths was constructed. The Ordnance Survey map of 1898 (of the area) shows some of these paths, Including a path from the Leas Shelter on the Upper Leas leading down to the road. was broadcast live to the nation by the BBC. In 1973, due to a lack of traffic on the toll road, the Radnor Estate closed the route to traffic and sold the land to the council. In 1980, the empty toll house was sold to private ownership. ==Coastal Park==

In May 2000, the first phase of the £1.2 million 11-hectare Coastal Park was opened by celebrity weatherman Ian McCaskill. The park regeneration was funded by SEEDA, Shepway District Council and the European Union. In 2003, Phase II was funded by a £1.4 million grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund of the National Lottery. This provided funding for ground works to be carried out in February 2005. Then planting of the pine avenues, flower gardens and picnic sites could take place. Then park furniture and information signs were erected. In May 2006, this phase of the park was officially opened. During 2007, the Coastal Park received four awards, including the Green Flag, best regional and best overall Regeneration Project from the Royal Town Planning Institute 2007 and winner in the Landscape category of the 2007 Kent Design Awards. ==Other park notes==

National Cycle Route 2 runs along the Lower Sandgate Road (through the park) and cyclists are asked to dismount through the play area during busy periods. On the promenade beside the seafront is a small seasonal-opening cafe (the Mermaid Cafe). ==References==