A weekly post to update you on what has happened in Poole Park over the last week, and what to expect this week.
The improvements are really moving forward now we’re getting in to the last month or so of works. Although it is hidden from public view, the new bridge over the sluice channel is coming together very quickly, the concrete pads either side of the deck have been poured, the railings are being installed, the gate to the working compound area of the sluice gate is in and the small detail work to make improvements for access are taking place.
Photos, L-R: the two sections of the bridge deck are visible with the new railings and gate behind; looking on the lagoon side the new railings have a ‘crushed’ detail the same as the railings around the perimeter of the park
Along the railway line from the bridge the thin sections of sediment have been created that will in time be planted, they are covered in coir to provide protection and a material to plant through. The two small promontories are constructed and now filled with sediment behind the rock boulders. The two bird screens are being constructed out of recycled plastic beams and planks, one of the platforms is level for wheelchair access, the other has two steps to provide some height overlooking the lagoon and the still-to-be-built island.
In the lagoon the islands in the north east corner are coming on nicely, the first is part-covered in gravel and the rest of it will be planted, the second being built to the same design. The remnants of the reed bed that was removed near to Middle Gate car park has been tidied up and a new island created, without a formal edge. This will provide a natural looking feature that the geese and swans will utilise and has a series of perching posts also installed, whether it is cormorants or the slightly more elusive kingfisher, all these features are designed to encourage wildlife, in full view of park users.
And finally, around the freshwater lakes the levels are being formed behind the coping stones as preparation for the decorative gravel to be installed. The digger in the photo, below left, is at the start of a gently sloping path that will be edged and have a handrail, guiding you down towards the new lake-side area which will have hard wood benches and an array of new planting. The landscape scheme uses local materials throughout and a key feature is re-use and sustainability, all the crazy paving has been recycled in the gabion baskets, a lot of the base layers for the surfacing is recycled crushed concrete and the larger blocks of stone were re-used from the old planting beds.
What is happening next?
- The sluice bridge landscaping and surfacing works will conclude over the next 2 weeks. Work this week will also take place to fill some voids under the concrete walls either side of the channel.
- Around the lakes the levels will be finished and prepared for the surfacing. The remaining blocks of stone will be used for landscaping.
- Islands in the north east corner will be finalised and covered.
- Promontories, decking and bird screens will progress and complete in the next couple of weeks. The island(s) off of the platforms will start to be constructed, alongside more dredging to make deep water.
The weather forecast is on our side this week and with some spring tides the opportunity will be taken to drain the lagoon down as much as possible mid-week. A lot of the winter birds are now starting to leave Poole park for colder climates where they spend their summers, but there are still a few birds about, thanks to Thomas @gardenbirder1 for this list: 38 Greylag Goose, 28 Mallard, 4 Moorhen, 7 Canada Geese, 214 Blacktailed Godwits, 42 Oystercatcher, 5 Cormorants, 25 Mute Swans, Coot, Little Egret, 27+ Redshank, 35 Med Gulls, Siskin. Great-spot woodpecker and a singing Chiffchaff
And this week’s featured image is a Greylag Goose sat over by the railway line, not at all bothered by me taking his photo, the digger in the background or the work taking place!
Read more on the background to the sluice bridge here, and the lakes and lagoon works here.