FORMER agricultural land has been transformed into acres of public space at Upton Country Park.

The new 12 hectare park extension, which was officially opened on Saturday, includes meadows, woodland, beautiful views and a stream which can be crossed via bridges or stepping stones.

And members of the public were invited to join in the celebrations by helping to plant 200 native bluebell and daffodil bulbs ready to flower for the 200th anniversary of Upton House in 2016. The new parkland is a designated Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG).

As well as providing public open space for walking, dog walkers will be able to let dogs off leads as an alternative to using Upton Heath SSSI and other important protected heathland sites where increased use can have an impact on the fragile local habitat and species that live there.

An enclosed dog training area will be created in time for the summer, and a new 24-space car park with access off Poole Road will be built in April and May.

The mayor of Poole, Cllr Peter Adams, said: “The new parkland has a wonderful network of paths to explore new aspects of the country park and for all the family to enjoy the great outdoors.”

The expansion work has been funded by £350,000 developer contributions from local building projects which have been set aside for heathland mitigation.

Cllr Xena Dion, cabinet portfolio holder for open spaces, said: “Poole is growing and has to provide 10,000 new homes by 2026, which also increases our need for recreational space. This new parkland offers an attractive open space for everyone and an alternative to using local protected heathland which is home to some of the rarest wildlife in the country.”

The park is open daily from 8am to 6pm.