Upton Country Park has new open space

Work at Upton Country Park has led to an additional 25 acres of meadows being made available alongside the site's shoreline and woodlands.

As well as extensions to the footpath network, new tree planting and picnic benches, the scheme has delivered a designated dog recall and training area.

A BCP Council spokesperson said: "With breathtaking views of both Holes Bay Nature Reserve and Grove Woods there are many new pathways for visitors to explore, creating a wonderful open space with off-lead areas for dog walkers, and small ‘play pen’ enclosures for recall and training, along with the popular stepping stones and dog splash area at the stream.

"Whilst the space is now open, there are still a few finishing touches to add over the next few months – including new bins by the picnic area and dog play pen, noticeboards, gates and signage."

The project was put together as part of the response to Poole becoming more populated, with thousands of new residents.

Ten thousand new homes were earmarked to be built in the borough between 2006 and 2026 and part of the planning process identified a need for a new 'Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace' to prevent additional housing damaging important nature sites.

The council said opening up an area of Upton Country Park was specifically aimed to provide a place for dog walkers to let their dogs off the lead as an alternative to Upton Heath and other protected heathland sites.

The new open space at Upton Country Park has been in operation for around a month.

"This project was led by BCP Council environment development team and is part of the wider town plans for creating open spaces for residents to enjoy that offsets the impact of new housing development on our local, nationally important heathlands and nature sites," added the spokesperson. "All year round there’s something to see and we’re very proud to celebrate this important milestone."