A NEW generation of trees will be planted across Poole Park this winter, as part of the £2.7 million Poole Park Life Project.

Residents can even adopt one of them through the project's 'Adopt a Tree' scheme, which is offering up to 82 trees.

Trees to be planted include English oaks, horse chestnuts, hornbeam and pines.

They will be planted at ten selected sites around the Victorian park, including at Norton's Gate – where tree felling took place in February last year when the latest phase of the project got underway.

A Poole Park Life Project spokesman said: "BCP Council decided some months ago on the tree species to be planted.

"The selection meets the aims of the Poole Park Conservation Plan and guarantees a good range of trees suitable to ensure, for instance, the continuation of the avenue of trees along the carriage drive, and other strategic planting.

"These are well developed and impactful semi-mature trees that have been grown in nurseries and are of a significant size – some three metres in height with a stems typically 18-20cm in girth, that cannot easily be vandalised."

The five-year Poole Park Life Project has already seen the restoration of the park's entrances, new roads and pathways installed, restoration of the war memorial and maintenance work at the old swimming pool site at the end of Park Lake Road.

Most of the funding for the scheme has come from a successful Heritage Lottery Funding bid.

The spokesman said: "Adopted trees are a lasting, ecologically friendly opportunity to commemorate a person or occasion.

"Trees are an essential part of Poole Park's character, and with your help the Adopt a Tree scheme will ensure a good range of healthy trees for future generations to enjoy."

Last November all three finished park entrances were back open again, following a spring and summer of Covid-impacted work.

However, vehicular access from Whitecliff Road through Keyhole Bridge was not reinstated.

This closure is part of a temporary traffic experiment and remains under review and open to public comment.

The aim of the trial, BCP Council says, is to create a safer environment to travel on foot or by bicycle.

A further aim is to reduce the number of vehicles driving through the park itself.

These changes are currently temporary, with residents able to have their say on on them up until February 21.

Visit pooleprojects.net/pooleparklife for further information.