WORK to improve the lakes and lagoon at Poole Park has been completed as part of a wider £2.7 million project.

Since January contractors have been carrying out various work, including dredging areas of the saline lagoon (boating lake) and freshwater lakes to make them deeper. All the dredged material has been used to create new islands and other features for the benefit of wildlife.

The sediment from the dredging work has also been used behind rock gabions and boulders to form a new landscaped lake edge. A decorative gravel path has been laid and new benches have been installed. Thousands of plants need to be planted, and garden volunteer sessions have been organised tomorrow from 10.30am-1.30pm, as well as Thursday, May 9, 4pm-7pm, and Saturday, May 18, 10.30am-1.30pm.

Two new bird hides have been created at the back of the lagoon near to the sluice gate, which overlook a newly-built island to attract different types of birdlife.

Research over the last few years has revealed the sluice-controlled lagoon can support rare and specialist species. The increased water depth will provide shelter for fish and insects, and the islands will provide roosts for birds.

The sluice gate bridge is now fully in place, the scaffolding has been removed and the pathway along the back of the lagoon along the railway is fully open.

Contractors Avon Construction have carried out the work on the bridge over the sluice channel, which has seen the removal of the previous condemned concrete deck and temporary scaffold structure and the installation of a new fibre-reinforced plastic bridge.

Later in the year, from September until March 2020, work to resurface Park Drive and car parks will be carried out.

A new shared space will be created at the Seldown Gate entrance, and crossing points will be installed. The ultimate aim is to reduce the dominance of vehicles in the park.

While the number of parking spaces at Westfield car park, near to The Kitchen, will be reduced, Norton’s Gate will be opened up for formal parking for the first time.

And from January, there will be a complete re-design of the Westfield play area, alongside improvements to the Cygnet play area (next to The Ark).

Martin Whitchurch, open spaces development manager for BCP Council, said: "The lakes and lagoon theme has all been successfully completed and delivered on time and on budget.

"We are now in full planting phase and there are lots of opportunities for volunteers to get involved and help.

"Visitors to the park will now see the new features and islands as well as the improved existing features for the benefit of wildlife.

"On Thursday, July 25, we will be holding a Poole Park family fun day where people can come along and enjoy free activities in the park and hear about the wider project.

"Coming next is the access theme, which involves road and car park improvements and improving access for all park users."

The four-year Poole Park Life project has already seen the restoration of the war memorial and maintenance work at the old swimming pool site at the end of Park Lake Road.

Most of the funding for the scheme (£2.7 million) has come from a successful Heritage Lottery Funding bid.