The £2.3m project celebrates the heritage of Upton Country Park by restoring, conserving and interpreting its historical features and landscapes. The project, completed October 2024, was made possible by the National Lottery’s Parks for People Programme, with additional funding from BCP Council and the Friends of Upton Country Park. Read about the transformational changes at uptoncountrypark.com/discovery-project

Each summer in June the Poole Park Art & Makers Studio opens, welcoming local artists, artisans and handicrafters to our ‘pop-up shop’ in the park. The studio showcases a different artist each week, from Wednesday to Tuesday. Be sure to stop by and see what’s in store next time you’re visiting.

If you are interested in renting the studio space for next summer, please visit poolepark.uk/art-makers-studio for details.

The Friends of Coy Pond volunteer group (pictured) are celebrating success – they have once again received a coveted Green Flag Community Award 2023/24 for their achievements in improving and maintaining the Grade II listed Coy Pond Gardens, Poole.

The Community Award celebrates how well a site relates to and encompasses the local and wider community.

The community cafés at Redhill Park and Boscombe Chine Gardens are set to reopen on Saturday, 27th May, under the management of The Parks Foundation charity. The charity already runs a successful community café at Winton Recreation Ground, known for its organic coffee & homemade cakes.

Further information at the Bournemouth Echo website and at www.parksfoundation.org.uk/cafes/

We are looking for volunteer drivers, guards and platform staff, no experience necessary, training provided. If you are interested in joining the friendly team in the park please come along and chat with the Supervisor at the Railway Station (10am – 5pm), or send us an email at poolepkrailway@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

Thank you.

Do you enjoy being out in the fresh air in nature? Would you like to meet new people and help your community in a friendly and welcoming environment? Would you like to learn new skills, or use existing skills and apply them in different ways? If so we would love to hear from you! We have a wide range of opportunities available for volunteers with a range of life skills who can work with our community engagement officers, heathland, countryside and parks teams.

You’ll develop valuable skills, boost your physical and mental health, have fun, make new friends and be able to make a real difference in your area. People of all ages and abilities are welcome and no prior experience or knowledge is required. If you’re under 18 you’ll need to come with an adult or an organised group or scheme. Get in touch now if you are keen to get the ball rolling – email us at greenvolunteer@bcpcouncil.gov.uk letting us know which groups or what sort of tasks interest you most.