The dinosaurs at Crystal Palace Park are being saved from extinction in a £5 million restoration project.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s donation will also see a new dinosaur-themed playground built near the park cafe, and a replacement information centre.
The money will also fund improvements to the park’s Lower Paxton Axis and Penge entrances.
These changes form part of the wider £52m regeneration of Crystal Palace Park, approved in March 2021, and funded by numerous sources.
Eilish McGuinness, chief executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Crystal Palace Park embodies the joy of heritage: from its nature walks and unique dinosaurs to the kaleidoscope of sporting and cultural activities held in its magnificent grounds.”
“We’re delighted that thanks to players of the National Lottery, we can save much-loved heritage like the Crystal Palace Park,” she added.
The dinosaurs were built in from 1852 to 1854 by renowned Victorian sculptor Benjamin Waterhouse Watkins.
When The Great Exhibition moved to Crystal Palace, then known as Sydenham Hill, in 1854, the models were commissioned to educate Victorians at the new site.
Although Waterhouse Watkins examined fossils at the British Museum as part of his research, palaeontology was still evolving and the dinosaurs have been described as “anatomically inaccurate”.
Despite their international acclaim and getting grade I listed status in 2007, the dinosaurs have eroded over time.
Cracks have appeared in their exteriors and in, 2021, the megalosaurus needed emergency surgery after its nose fell off.
Bromley councillor Yvonne Bear, executive councillor for renewal, recreation and housing, said: “This funding is extremely welcome, allowing us to progress our £52m Regeneration Plan for Crystal Palace Park.
“Building on our close work with Historic England recently to prepare for the dinosaurs’ restoration, the Heritage Fund grant will allow us to move closer to safeguarding the future of these amazing structures, while also delivering wider improvements to green spaces, including a new playground for families to enjoy.
“I thank local community groups for their ongoing support as we move forward with our plan, with this not only being about restoration, but creating a sustainable model for the Park that works for local residents and businesses, while generating the funds needed to care for these amazing assets and green spaces over the long term.”
The wider regeneration is well underway and the restoration of the grade-II listed pedestrian subway has reportedly made good progress.