About the Project

Abandoned sports fields have been transformed into a new green oasis for wildlife at the heart of Poole.

Extensive earthworks and landscaping have transformed the park, providing a range of habitats, including reedbeds, heathland and a wild flower meadow. Where the Bourne Stream flowed beneath the park in a pipe, a 450m open and terraced stream channel has been reinstated using "soft engineering" techniques. During heavy rainfall, the stream acts as a storm water detention basin. This sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS) offers an alternative approach to traditional drainage using natural processes to reduce flash flooding and improve water quality.

The new stream course is crossed by a bridge and a weir, seats and litter bins have been installed, and new footpaths meander through the site linking local communities with each other, with schools and other facilities.

In addition, we worked with the Environment Agency (EA) who paid for the creation of a small fishing lake in the corner of the lower field where it had become very boggy (why fishing?).

With the earth we moved to create the stream and ponds we regraded some areas of the Rec and created a viewpoint close to the existing pond. Those using it will be rewarded with a long view of the stream and ponds with the heathland SSSI in the distance.

The Partnership is working closely with Poole's Leisure Services with the aim of delivering a range of other improvements to the site; disabled access has already been installed at Herbert Avenue and more will follow.

The total budget for these works is approximately £176,000 and funding comes from a variety of sources (more). The overall objective has been to create a more attractive, varied and usable open space that the local community can be proud of and use on a regular basis.

How did it progress? You can read the project diaries here.

Ecological Survey, October 2005

(PDF, 547kb)

An ecological survey of the park's freshwater habitats (the nature pond and woodland streams) was carried out by Robert Aquilina in September 2005 and is available to download here.

A printed copy of the full report is available at Rossmore Library, Herbert Avenue (upstairs in the reference section).

NB: the Ecological Survey refers to 'Alderney Recreation Ground' which has since been renamed 'Bourne Valley Park'

A follow-up survey in 2008 will determine how successful we have been in our aims for enhanced wildlife habitat.

Business Plan, April 2006

(PDF, 248kb)

NB: the Business Plan refers to 'Alderney Recreation Ground' which has since been renamed 'Bourne Valley Park'

Pre-Project Preparations August 2005 - September 2006

» The initial concept for this project came about in 2003 following approaches by local residents and Councillors, then developed through a period of discussions with Borough of Poole engineers and Wessex Water.

» Summer 2005: Sarah started an initial phase of public consultation timed to get the views of young people using the Rec. during the school holidays. She and Kate Mitchell (Poole's Bourne Valley Ranger) spent three hot sunny mid-August days talking to users (picture, locals boys discussing their ideas with Kate).

» August 2005: a ground levels survey was completed; it covers the entire recreation ground and gives us important data for the future stream gradient among other things.

» September 2005: an ecological survey of the freshwaters was carried out by Robert Aquilina an Environmental Quality Consultant from Bournemouth.

» A 3-day public consultation was held at Rossmore Library & Learning Centre (12th-14th September). Kate & Sarah met with more than 45 local residents; others phoned or emailed for further information. In total 57 residents returned questionnaires. The results.

» December 2005: a Project Working Group was formed comprising 14 local residents and nine others drawn from Youth, Community & Health Services, Rossmore Community College and the Dorset Police. The group will work together to inform and support project aims and progress, and ensure it continues to meet local needs and expectations.

» January 2006: a funding application for Phase II (£45,000) was made to Biffaward through the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme (LTCS), backed by letters of support from the Project Working Group. It was awarded 'in principle' in July 2006 and finally confirmed in April 2007. A previous application for LTCS funding in 2004 had been rejected.

» In February 2006 we installed two semi-permanent boreholes in the area we intended to create the fishing lake; they informed us about ground conditions and groundwater levels and quality.

» 5th April 2006 - the first Alderney Rec Fun Day was organised by Borough of Poole and the Bourne Stream Partnership. The sun shone, everything went smoothly and it proved to be a great success. It has certainly made local people far more aware of the space; several we spoke to hadn't realised it was there!

» On the day of the first Alderney Rec Fun Day the Environment Agency confirmed a contribution to the fishing lake project of £12,000 from Fishing Rod Licence Income funding for Angling Participation Projects.

» A Business Plan was then prepared which describes the project in more detail, with information on costs, funding, risks and future management and is available here (pdf, 250kb).

» Over the June half-term period a great deal of damage was done to the Pavilion building at the Rec (photo right, 6th June) and the building was demolished on the morning of 20th June for health & safety reasons. Discussions are still underway re best use of the area of hard standing.

» The Contract for Phase One was awarded to Poole-based company Jenkins Marine who arrived on site 4th September 2006.

» Progress can be followed in the project diaries

Public Consultation

What local residents think - the results of our consultations in August and September 2005 are published here. Further informal consultation has carried on from that date to this, through regular contact with residents and users. We now have a database of more than 100 local people who help support the Project Officer and decision-making.

A 10-week "Planning for Real" consultation by students from Rossmore Community College, other 'pyramid' schools and the extended schools parliaments, intended to identify a sustainable and appropriate use for a refurbished Pavilion at the Rec. had to cancelled when the building was badly vandalised and subsequently demolished.