BOURNEMOUTH Parks Foundation have been awarded a grant of £25,400 to make significant enhancements to Knyveton Gardens in Springbourne this summer.

These improvements, undertaken by BCP Council, will include new play features for toddlers, upgrading bedding and creating wildflower meadows. Bug hotels will be installed, and the amount of bird feeders are to be increased to help boost the diversity of wildlife at the park.

The grant has been funded by The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Pocket Park Plus scheme to support communities and their partners to establish pocket parks or refurbish an existing park and help a provide a space where people can relax, exercise, socialise and play.

Councillor Anne Filer said: “The residents living near Knyveton Gardens have worked exceptionally hard together to transform this area and to support a delightful community park.

“This generous grant will enable them to fulfil their ambitions and to create a park for young and old, residents and visitors alike, to enjoy and benefit from.

“The Friends of Knyveton Gardens are a really special, visionary and inclusive group of people and richly deserve this award.”

The Bournemouth Parks Foundation is an independent charitable foundation devoted to enhancing Bournemouth's parks gardens and green spaces alongside the BCP Council.

The foundation’s manager Cathi Farrer added: “It’s amazing to be awarded this grant so we can provide this park with some love and attention.

“We’re looking forward to working alongside the community to make these improvements, so that more people can enjoy their local park by getting outdoors and connecting with nature.

AFC Bournemouth’s Community Fund also help contribute £800 to the project

“We’re really pleased about the investment being made into Knyveton Gardens and can’t wait to see the improvements”, said Rose Stone, Chair of the Friends of Knyveton Gardens.

“Our Friends of Knyveton Gardens group have been working with the Parks Foundation on the Parks in Mind programme, which is a great project encouraging volunteering opportunities in parks to improve people’s mental and physical health and wellbeing.

If you would like to get involved or volunteer with the Parks in Mind project at Knyveton Gardens you can find more information at https://www.bournemouthparksfoundation.org.uk/our-projects/knyveton-gardens-park-improvements/