Improving our parks for us and nature
Read the February Newsletter at http://eepurl.com/ie57Cj 

Poole Park Railway is closed from Monday 27th February until Easter. Our engine ‘Howard’ needs a full service, and mini-makeover, ready for our summer season. While Howard is away you may see us carrying out some routine track work. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us since we re-opened in September and look forward to seeing all our existing and new customers when we reopen in the spring.

BCP Council, in partnership with The Parks Foundation, seeks the opinions of visitors to Mudeford Woods, and people living and working in the area, in connection with a project that aims to enhance people’s use & experience of the open space. The survey closes 22nd March 2023.

Have your say at www.haveyoursay.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/MudefordWoods

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.

Contact us now if you are keen to get the ball rolling at greenvolunteer@bcpcouncil.gov.uk letting us know which groups are of interest to you. If you are unsure what might be suitable please send an email and we will come back to you.

Official opened on 16th December 2022 by the Mayor of Poole, Councillor Tony Trent, the iconic Welcome Centre building is located in the main car park. It acts as a ‘front door’ to the Country Park, providing an accessible heritage attraction for visitors to relax, enjoy and learn in. 

Project details at www.bcpprojects.net/upton-country-park-welcome-centre

New track, new engine shed and new 32-person capacity, wheelchair accessible & dog-friendly railway carriages look resplendent in their green livery. The railway was officially re-opened by the Mayor of Poole, with flags, fun and band music on 15th October 2022.

Project details at www.bcpprojects.net/poole-park-railway

The “Poole in Bloom” garden competition was relaunched this year with a new logo, publicity and small committee of volunteers – kindly supported by BCP Council and Compton Acres.

Full details at www.bcpprojects.net/poole-in-bloom-news 

On 2nd July 2022, after 7 years serving the local community firstly as a ‘pop-up’ and from 2018 in a converted shipping container, Joy Café moved into a new home within the ‘Churchill Gardens Hub’ in Boscombe.

Project details at www.bcpprojects.net/joy-cafe-community-hub-churchill-gardens

This year we are celebrating 23 Green Flag Awards for our much-loved parks and green spaces!

In addition, Hengistbury Head, Upton Country Park & Poole Park have once again achieved the much-coveted Green Heritage Site Accreditation for its management of historic features.

Christchurch Quay and Roeshot Hill Allotments also received Green Flag Awards this year. And the Friends of Coy Pond volunteer group (pictured) were awarded a Green Flag Community Award which celebrates how well a site relates to and encompasses the local and wider community.

Details at www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/news-article.aspx 

The Poole Park Art & Makers Studio is now open and fully booked for the season, long into September. We are excited to welcome our local artists, artisans and handicrafters to this ‘pop-up shop’ in the park.

Details at www.poolepark.uk/art-makers-studio