PLANS illustrating a proposed £2.5million scheme to revamp Poole Park have been revealed for the first time.

Scores of residents visited Poole Park Pavilion yesterday to view maps and details of what the park could look like, if a proposed bid for £2.5m National Lottery cash becomes a reality.

Borough of Poole and the Friends of Poole Park put together the bid, following public consultation earlier this year.

Yesterday’s exhibition highlighted proposals to bankroll the restoration of the park’s original Victorian characteristics and improve its landscaping.

The park’s lakes and water features would be improved, new play equipment introduced and the road would be made safer for park users if the bid gets the thumbs-up, says Borough of Poole.

Money could also be used to fund programmes to manage the park’s geese and wildfowl.

Borough of Poole portfolio holder for a prosperous and sustainable Poole, Cllr Xena Dion, said: “We still have some way to go before we can submit our bid, but the plans drawn up from feedback from the local community are very exciting.

“The park is a wonderful facility which everyone can enjoy, so it’s really important that as many people as possible come and take a look at the plans and back our bid.”

The first round bid will be made to the Heritage Lottery Fund in August, with successful bids being announced in December. It will take at least a year for the second stage bid to be prepared.

Poole resident David Warhurst, who visited the exhibition, said: “My major concern was the state of the main gateposts at the park and the plaques there as well. I’ve argued they should be refurbished, but I can see from this exhibition that this is in the plans.”

Another resident told the Daily Echo improvements at the park were “long overdue.”

She added: “The lake often smells in the summertime and there is too much mess from the geese, which is a shame because the park is so popular.”

Cllr Dion said: “The council and Friends of Poole Park are doing a great job in providing evidence that Poole Park is well-loved and valued within the local community.

“We are doing everything possible to secure this money and deliver the enhancements that the majority of people have said they want.”