Freedom Park set for renovation as Lagos State Government announces funding support
By Editor
FREEDOM Park, Lagos’ iconic cultural and heritage centre is set for a significant transformation following the Lagos State Government’s commitment to funding its long-overdue renovation. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to preserving and revitalizing one of the city’s most beloved public spaces, a statement from Freedom Park management has said.
Originally built on the site of the historic Old Broad Street Prison, Freedom Park has become a cultural landmark since its inception in 2010. It has served as a hub for artistic expression, heritage preservation, and creative enterprise, hosting numerous concerts, art exhibitions, literary events, and festivals that have enriched Lagos’ cultural landscape.
However, years of continuous use, coupled with the economic impact of the post-COVID-19 era, have taken a toll on the park’s infrastructure. Wear and tear have become evident across various facilities, and the need for upgrades is pressing to ensure that Freedom Park continues to serve as a premier venue for arts, culture, and recreation.
The planned interventions, designed to restore and enhance the park’s functionality, include Amphitheatre upgrade that would enhance stage facilities, seating arrangment, and sound systems for improved performances, Artistes Residency that would create dedicated spaces for visiting artists and creatives, Members Lounge upgrade that will see the renovation of the interiors for better comfort and experience, Freedom Park Museum upgrade aimed at revamping the exhibit space to better showcase Lagos’ history, and Rooftop Restaurant and Lounge to usher in a new leisure space with panoramic views. Others are Art Gallery space expansion for visual artists t oshowcase their works, Solar Power and Sustainable Energy Solutions to reduce reliance on the national grid for a more eco-friendly operation, Children’s Playground to create a safe and engaging play area for young visitors, a Recording Studio space for musicians and content creators, additional toilets facilities to enhance sanitation and convenience for visitors, Skate Park that caters to Lagos’ growing urban sports community, Aquaponics Farm for sustainable food production practices and Pond Filtration and Equipment upgrade to improving water quality and aesthetics.
These sweeping revoations at Freedom Park will also see to the conversion of a Molue into a Library/Meeting Room, with the aim to repurpose the historic Lagos bus into a creative space. Environmental and Ambience Lighting upgrade will also enhance safety and nighttime aesthetics of the park, just as repairs to Central Water Supply that will ensure consistent water access across the park, Audio-Visual Equipment upgrade to enhance event production quality, canopies for the Food Court area to provide better shade and shelter, replacement of interlocking flooring to address wear and uneven surfaces, landscaping enhancements to improve greenery and aesthetics and repainting of buildings to restore the park’s visual appeal.
Total Consult, the original designers and builders of Freedom Park, has been invited to submit proposals for the phased renovation, which is expected to take place over a period of 6–8 months. The project will be executed strategically to minimize disruptions while ensuring a timely and efficient transformation. The renovation marks a new chapter for Freedom Park, ensuring it remains a dynamic space for arts, culture, and leisure in Lagos. With this investment, Freedom Park will continue to provide a world-class environment for creatives, history enthusiasts, and visitors of all ages.
The poet and his audience – Anote Ajeluorou discussing Libations for Africa – at the village square ambience at Freedom Park PHOTO: TAIWO OLUSOLA JOHNSON
