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 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 was £182,000 and funding was
collected from a variety of sources. The overall objective was to create a more attractive, varied and
usable open space that the local community could be proud of and
use on a regular basis.
Project
Funding
Total
budget for the project was £182,000
Phase I was
funded by:
A £45,000 grant was secured for Phase II from
Biffaward
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During
the May 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 that has been left by the
demolition.
