RESIDENTS in Christchurch are being asked to voice their opinions on what should be done to preserve one of its green spaces under the council’s Future Parks Project.

BCP Council have selected Waterman’s Park in Somerford as one of three Pilot Parks across the conurbation, along with Alexandra Park in Parkstone and Winton Recreation Ground.

The council are to host walking tours of the park today and tomorrow where they will outline their vision for the space and engage with members of the community about what they’d like to see the space become.

Cllr Mark Anderson, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Cleansing and Waste said: “As part of BCP Council’s future parks project, we are asking for the views of local residents about how they would like Waterman’s Park to look in the future.

“Throughout the future parks project, we want to engage with all interested parties.

“We are keen to hear local residents’ views and ideas so we can incorporate them where possible, in order to ensure that we are developing our green spaces based on the feedback of the communities they serve.”

In 2008, the park on Dorset Road was named after Christchurch residents Joe and Joan Waterman, who lived in Somerford for more than 40 years and were two of the founder members of the Friends and Residents and Grange Community Association.

Activities are due to be hosted at Watermans Park from January onwards to help ‘activate’ the park and see what volunteering and community engagement approaches work to get more people to make use of the park.

The first stage of master-planning aims to be completed by November this year after some community engagement this month.

In partnership with the Bournemouth Parks Foundation, BCP Council have received a share of £6.2m of funding, as well as £5m worth of support from various conservation and community groups, and park management courtesy of National Lottery Heritage Fund, National Trust and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to spend on the three projects.

Throughout the Future Parks project, which runs until March 2022, the council aim to engage with interested parties, community groups or stakeholders to make sure they develop the park in tune with the community it serves.

The Mayor of Christchurch and ward councillor for Mudeford, Stanpit and West Highcliffe Cllr Lesley Dedman said: “This recreation ground is actually an asset of the Town Council, which was handed over by the Borough before dissolution. It was agreed that BCP would still service the lavatories. They since closed these, against the Town Council’s recommendation.

“In principle I applaud the initiative to renovate the park with this cash windfall, providing it is kept purely as a place of exercise and recreation for the local residents.

“The results of the consultation will inform the plans, and I hope this will be widely publicised and people will go to hear ideas and to put their views.

“This is an open space much used and loved, and needed by our townspeople.”

The tours of the park are to be held from 1pm to 2pm on Tuesday October 13 and 10.30am to 11.30am on Wednesday October 14. Attendees have been asked to select their availability for the tours on the council’s Eventbrite page: eventbrite.co.uk/e/watermans-park-tours-tickets-122399653659?utm_campaign=SocialSignIn&utm_medium=social&utm_source=Facebook.