A group which restored a park behind Golders Green Synagogue and the adjoining Rimon Jewish Primary has received a £50,000 cheque from the Big Lottery People's Millions, through which projects for National Lottery funding are determined by phone-in votes.

"We really didn't expect to win," said Golders Green Synagogue member Ingrid Posen, chair of The Friends of Childs Hill Park group, which applied for the cash to fund its latest venture, the creation of a marsh garden in the park. "But ours is a terrific project, providing an educational and natural play space which can be enjoyed by the whole of the very diverse local community, as well as providing a haven for wildlife."

In 18 months, the predominantly Jewish group has transformed the park from a run-down, little-used space into a popular amenity. It has installed a playground, outdoor gym and picnic tables and planted 500 trees. It has close links with Rimon, which uses the park regularly for lessons.

The group is working in partnership on the marsh garden with the Harington Scheme, a charity that trains special needs and other disadvantaged young people in horticultural skills, with the Harington trainees undertaking the building and planting.

An educational syllabus based around the marsh garden is being developed in conjunction with Rimon and Kisharon, the Golders Green school for young Jews with special needs.