The plans include 65 individual items, including:

Carved benches, gate restoration, entrance signage, sculpture, upgrade footpaths, resurface entrance • blossom trees, wildflower meadows, bird nesting boxes with wildlife cameras streaming live images to your phone • murals and hedges instead of graffiti • tree management, raised wildlife pond, sensory garden & discovery trails • improved lighting, events and activities, community and volunteer hub (next to the Boscombe Cliff bowling green).

Early progress included new stonework and freshly painted gates at the main entrance, the installation of  beautifully sculpted benches and a stunning new ‘Tree of Life’ sculpture at the meeting place at the southerly end of Woodland Walk. Carved by the talented chainsaw sculptor Tom ‘Carver’ Harvey, and featuring a tawny owl, the piece is crafted from a 120-year-old oak tree.

During June & July a raised wildlife pond was built, and planted up with native species in July. Non-native shrubs were cleared behind the bowls club, making way for woodland species, and new trees planted to enhance biodiversity. At the Christchurch Road entrance, broken tarmac has been replaced with eco-friendly gravel and new planting beds created which volunteer groups are planting out over time. And Tom Harvey returned to sculpt a woodpecker in a tree stump in July, and in September he delivered the welcome sign sculpture for the Boscombe Overcliff Drive end of Woodland Walk. Meantime The Parks Foundation volunteers have been installing bird and bat information signs.

More is happening through the winter – look out for playful places, sensory planting around the wildlife pond, a composting area for volunteers, a bird box camera, lighting in the trees at the north entrance, and tree planting.

Some progress highlights, April – December 2025

All the beautifully carved wooden benches and sculptures (large & small) you see along the Woodland Walk are the work of Tom ‘Carver’ Harvey, who transforms wind-fallen wood into meaningful art using chainsaws and chisels

Welcome signage has been installed at key access points, with additional information panels on birds, bats & other local wildlife

Woodland Walk inspiration – wildlife interest, sculpture, pond & sensory garden 

Part of the Better Boscombe / Bournemouth Towns Fund programme