|
|
|
|
Autumn in Poole Park
Another monthly update from the Poole Park Life project for you, this month we zoom in on a bit of detail on our lake research project, catch up with engagement activities and look at next steps, including when you will get to have your say on the improvements the Heritage Lottery Funding can bring.
Lake Research
Getting people involved to help us understand the issues related to the boating lake is really important and people certainly got involved at our 'Get Hands on in the lake' event. About 40 people came along to help and they litter picked in the mud and margins of the lake and brought forth, amongst other things:
|
|
- 78 plastic bags
- 32 plastic drinks bottles plus 50 plastic lids,
- A massive 137 food wrappers such as crisp packets, take-away's etc, and,
- An amazing 36 items of clothing, most of which were shoes, presumably lost in sailing activities!
On the wildlife front there was also an interesting list of things spotted:
An eel, over 30 swans, several white egrets, a kingfisher near the sluice gate, crabs both dead and alive, shells and plenty of algae and weed sat on top of the very smelly mud.
|
|
|
What on earth is a sluice controlled saline lagoon!?!
All of the water that enters the boating lake comes from the catchment area within the red line shown on the map to the left, click here to have a closer look.
Anything that runs into a drain on the side of the road within this catchment area will end up in the boating lake, unfiltered and unchecked. The research team are finding out what comes out of the pipes, how much and how often.
|
|
|
There are various estimates of how many of these pipes feed in to the boating lake and through the event we asked people to map and record where, how big and what was coming out of them. One pair of trusty volunteers found 30 different pipes ranging from 4" to 2' in diameter (10cm - 60cm) with varying descriptions of what was coming out of them, such as "black particles like tea leaves", "oozing, oily trickle" and "clean water gushing like a waterfall".
Alongside how often we flush the lake through the sluice gates, the pipes are crucial in our understanding of how we manage the boating lake - or to give it its correct title - a sluice-controlled saline lagoon. We will present the research findings as part of our engagement next year (see below) and you can keep updated on what's happening with the research on our Facebook page and website.
|
|
News on public engagement
Creating quiet spaces and sensory gardens: If you want to have your say on changes to the gardens in Poole Park - now is the time! How would you feel if the rose garden is made into a Reflective Garden? Or if the putting green becomes a Sensory Garden? We need your input and ideas, so please get in touch. The long term aim is to provide benefits for everyone but particularly for people with mental health issues, learning disabilities or those suffering form illness or trauma.
Around 60 people enjoyed a variety of home-made Indian snacks at the Macmillan Indian Coffee Morning on 26th September and more importantly raised £460 for Macmillan Cancer support! People were also invited to try on a saree and get a picture taken against the backdrop of the Taj Mahal, please see The Mayor, Councillor Ann Stribley taking part in the fun below. Big thanks to Padma who organised the event and everyone who helped to make it a success.
Friends of Poole Park: are offering membership to 31st December 2016 for just £5. This will not only allow you to become more involved in what is going on at Poole Park, including opportunities to volunteer in the park, it will also give you discounts at Rockley Water Sports including 10% off hire and discounts off of taster sessions. You can download your membership online here.
Thank-you!
Contact Toni Powell by email or call on 01202 261757
|
|
|
Go Bonkers for Conkers!
Thursday 29th October 10am - 4pm is a day packed full of activities in Poole Park, based in and around the cricket pavilion, this is another opportunity to find out more about the project, but also to:
- Make a difference - plant some spring bulbs and help cut back some undergrowth near the freshwater pond, 10am - 12 noon
- take a stroll and a guided walk, 1pm-2pm
- do a spooky Halloween trail or other drop-in activities
- and at 2.30pm why not come along and get involved in (possibly) the first ever Poole Park Conker Championships! Bring your match-winner along and take part.
Take a look at the poster here
|
|
Poole Park Photo Mosaic
Picked up a leaflet, seen the banners in the park, thought I'll do that later? Well why not make it now? Upload your photo and join these lovely people and a cute hound who have already become part of the Poole Park Photo Mosaic.
How?
|
|
|
It's easy, go to www.poolepark.org, click on upload and select your photos.
Every photo uploaded for £5 means we can raise up to £50 for improving Poole Park. It's also on Facebook, Be Part Of It!
|
|
|
And finally...
I got asked at a recent event when people will be able to look at the actual plans for Poole Park and what we are going to do. Understandably this is what most people are interested in - the detail, looking at plans, having their say on what is right or wrong for 'the people's park'.
We are starting to work on more design detail to the Round 1 work, both internally and from external landscape architects, that will form the basis of public consultation. We are planning two phases to present to you:
- April 2016. First designs, plans, layouts and materials presented at a range of events to engage those who just want the highlights all the way down to the nitty gritty. We will then edit, re-draw and amend as required before...
- July - August 2016 we will present our final plans that will be included in the second stage bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund in December 2016.
We will put together an events programme early in the New Year and make sure it is well publicised. The best way to hear about it first? right here in this newsletter, so I hope you continue to enjoy reading and being part of Poole Park Life.
Martin Whitchurch
Poole Park Life Project Manager
Contact Martin
|
|
|
There are numerous Facebook pages relating to Poole Park:
and if that is not enough social media for you, you can find us on twitter @pooleparklife
|
|
Copyright © 2015 BCP Council - Poole Park Life, All rights reserved.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
