POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy Delivery Phase

POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy Delivery phase

POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy 1 page 3 Why do people come to our park today? 4 Why did people come to our park in the past? 5 The aim of our interpretation 6 Our approach to meeting people’s needs 7 An identity reflecting the past but not fixed in time 8 Welcome and orientation 9 Summary of interpretive themes 12 Exploring priority themes in detail 12 Planning in the park 14 Managing (Looking after) the park 18 Being active / Playing in the park 24 Closer to nature in the park

POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy 2 Why do people come to our park today? Borough of Poole archive / consultation engagement / online survey

To keep myself fit and active

Interested in the plants

It’s a safe place for my kids to play

It is a very satisfying place to be It’s our garden as we live in the flat ... meet up with friends, introduce to away from the hustle and bustle of across the road visitors, meet people which makes me everyday life feel as though I live in a community We love that we can get so close to To sit in the car and watch life go by birds and nature in general. ... to be outside near the water and the view out to the harbour and Lots to do for little money Need to get out. Calm atmosphere Brownsea and the land beyond

I like the green space and the lake, Take the grandchildren to play, fresh Do park run ... it is a special place to my family. it’s mostly peaceful and relaxing air, scenic views, its OUR park Use it as cycle route to the beach We have been using the park for over Eat lunch, read, watch any events 50 years and three generations. Close to the office On walking route

POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy 3 Paul Hillman postcard collection / Why did people come to our park in the past? Andrew Hawkes photograph collection / Borough of Poole archive

We are in for a good time. Just been to these gardens. Just lovely. (1909)

We are going to this Park one day Do you have your morning’s walk like isn’t it pretty. (1909) this dear? (190?)

This is the lake that I have been rowing upon. The boat with sails on we were on on Saturday but the sails were taken off. (1908)

We have the Carnival here on Wed. (1927)

...you would like to see all these swans. Lucy & Auntie saw the man feeding them this morning. There is some big black ones as well as white ones. There is all sorts of pretty birds here. (191?)

I don’t think House games will be affected this term, but next term there We are hoping to have tea in the Park will be snags - Ladies W. Field is now My cousin is on munitions & he takes I thought perhaps you would like a I am sitting in this park on the grass today (192?) an allotment!! (1942) us nearly every day with him through postcard of Poole Park. with my friends [.....] we are just this park it is 4 miles away. (1917) Do you remember the games we going to have a cold lunch that we had there? (1906) brought with us (1923) “ .. an idealised landscape where people could be physically and spiritually refreshed and separated from the realities of surrounding urban areas ...”

POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy 4 The aim of our interpretation

Who are we interpreting for? Our interpretation will enhance the sustainable Our interpretation will increase awareness of Around 50,000 people live within a 1.2 km walk of our park. enjoyment of the park by its users as they come to the broader range of benefits the park environment This catchment contains some of the most affluent, and some understand and value it’s heritage. provides of the most deprived communities in Poole. Accessible by car and public transport, the park also attracts visitors from much They will understand They will understand and value • why the park looks the way it does of the South East Dorset Conurbation – a potential visitor • the shared space, open to all, where individuals and base of several hundred thousand people. • why people in the past have made changes and what communities can flourish effects those changes have. As detailed in the Activity Plan, we used various methods to • the potential of the park’s green space / blue space to analyse the park’s visitors throughout the development phase They will reflect on the differences and similarities of park life promote physical and mental wellbeing from ‘counting and tracking’ days to qualitative questionnaires now and in the past. • the park as home to wildlife and monitoring participation in event activities. They will feel • the ‘eco-services’ the park’s natural assets offer in the We will aim to provide accessible, informative, inspirational • inspired to explore the park further urban landscape such as flood mitigation, helping to clean “opportunities” to support people from all walks of life, ages the air and regulate temperature. • empowered to influence changes in the future and abilities, to connect with their park. and to engage with us on key issues concerning They will feel the ways we manage the park • mutual respect and a greater sense of belonging • encouraged to volunteer their time and develop skills • inspired to take action to maintain personal wellbeing otivat by participating in historical research, practical M ion conservation and public events. (see Activity Plan) • an increased connection to nature f ? o • appreciation of the impact of urban living, climate change m spiritual r e h v and their own actions. t i s s t i Our interpretation will be sensitive to the aesthetics s t e r of the park environment. We are working in partnership with Poole CVS to develop e t W n a volunteer handbook to support volunteer particpation i In terms of scale, material and siting, new features will social h t across a variety of activities. Our gardening group includes

a o integrate with the overall design intent as identified in our

h people of all ages, families, individuals, retired people, c Conservation Plan and Street Furniture Strategy.

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physical PARK m

? people with learning difficulties and people suffering e

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POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy 5 Our approach to meeting people’s needs

Our main aspiration is that park users will want to We will find ways to engage with people before, during Our themes for interpreting park life (page 9) have understand the different ways people past, present and after their visit through a range of marketing been developed from exchanges and activities during the and future shape and experience the physical place communication, in-situ events, outreach activities and project’s development phase. They interweave with the built, landscape, water and wildlife features of the park and that is “Poole Park”. Our interpretive approach will social media and web. are a basis to explore and organise the flow of the stories be guided by their motivations for visiting and their We will find it useful to consider the Sensory Trust’s we would like to share. needs and preferences for engagement “Access Chain” when developing our communication and interpretation materials: Guided by the Tilden Principles provoke / relate / reveal, 1. Decision to visit we will draw attention and make our stories meaningful to spiritual 2. Journey and arrival people by relating to something within their experience. 3. On-site experience We will reveal some meaning that was previously hidden, 4. Return home helping people to make sense of what they see. We will give information in ways that enable people to discover the Many people may rely on off-site information to find out if a au revelations for themselves. In this way they will experience l d social place is accessible to them for a number of reasons including a it a deeper learning and awareness. u o families with young children, people with sensory impairment s r i y or limited mobility and people living with dementia. During Developing our ideas

physical

the restoration phase we will develop pre-visit information

As detailed in the Activity Plan, there will be a programme

k detailing the transport and parking, location and access

i of activities to engage local communities and park visitors

c n

e e s t information for facilities, terrain, independent activities and h emotional as well as compensate for operational works during the or guided tours, organised activities and events. This will restoration phase. These activities will focus on heritage, be available online together with new themed material to landscape, play, lakes, lagoon and wildlife. They will also enhance visits. be an opportunity to interpret the changes as they are happening, to trial ideas and to allow people to be inspired On-site information should enable getting around and and learn from the park’s heritage. intellectual understanding: clearly worded signs, indicating direction and distance and enough information about a route to allow the We will also reflect on the park’s day-to-day rhythms and visitor to make their own choice. We should indicate where informalities. Functional structures might be enhanced with In terms of partnerships we have developed new links routes contain steps, rough surfaces, gradients or cambers, temporary or permanent interventions. with local groups such as residents groups, local schools, either on a map or the signs, or both (see Access Audit). Eg Victorian games - chalking a path and tagging a park children’s centres, environment groups, local artists, local care bench with how to play hopcotch rules. homes, youth groups, BME groups and disability groups. We should design our standard information using access We have also enhanced partnerships with the Friends of guidelines to minimise requests for other formats but there Poole Park and Poole Park Heritage Group. All of these links should be provision for Large Print, Plain Language and audio and the building of new partnerships will bring creativity, in compliance with the Council’s policy. We will work with expertise and resilience to future projects. advisory groups such as Poole Forum when producing these.

Our free Fundays will ensure families on low income can We should make it easy for people to give feedback on their enjoy extra activities in the park. Our outreach activities will experiences. take aspects of the park to people in other places such as

Parkstone Church Hub, where intergenerational groups will fence mending shared use path tagged equipment planting seeds intended for the park’s sensory gardens.

POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy 6 An identity reflecting the past but not fixed in time

What are the shapes and forms of memories ... An identity could be developed inspired by the cut, cast and An opportunity for engagement looking through layers, frames .... shadows and lights wought features of the park environment and the Vicorian Although we will develop a consistent identity for Poole Park, passion for silhouetting. people could play with and share their ideas of their significant features or activities in the park in silhouette form.

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POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy 7

cricket scoreboard Welcome and orientation

A new welcome on-site A clearly branded recognition of arrival at formal entrances will promote a sense of place. People will know where they are in relation to rest of park and what options they have during their visit. We aim to encourage better use of all areas, particularly at busy times, including the southern lake edge.

We will explore a heads-up mapping style unique to each key entrance referring to zones for the physical improvement, play, spirital refreshment of original design intent.

It may possible to combine a simple tactile approach on lectern-style boards with either or both of the zone mapping or ‘feel-a-view’ concepts. The appropriate siting of these You are here You are here You are here will need to take into account the different arrival spaces of Seldown Entrance East gate Whitecliff Entrance pedestrians, cyclists and car users.

Connectivity Reflect on past media forms to inspire future? The park is a ‘porous site’ with many access points passing through formal and informal entrances. Fingerposts will indicate connections within the park to features of interest and to/from other sites such a Baiter Park and Whitecliff recreation ground. The appropriate style and material of these is identified in our Street Furniture Strategy with potential to develop silhouette cut-work on ‘fingers’ or finials.

Guiding and self-guiding The park is a varied learning resource. We will build on the success of our development phase Inspiration: Paul Farrington’s ‘Kingston As identified in our Activity Plan we would discovery walks and live interpretation. Ideas from these Navigation Wheel’ - paper disc that visitors like to encourage joint working and online could be developed into hand-held options such as can use to explore alternative routes, discover sharing of content from different user downloadable themed walk leaflets or audio material to stories and surprise details. Historically groups with particular interests or special provide different ways of exploring the park. called Volvelles or Wheel Charts and are now needs groups. More material such as Special interest trails, particularly for children, could considered to be “an early form of analogue heritage trials will also be available from provide in-situ links such as small marker posts, to computer.” Content research was informed the Information Kiosk. collect rubbings or other rewards. by walking clubs, late 1800s sporting pursuits Imagery on these could play with scale eg mini beasts. such as Orienteering and Pedestrianism. Mrs Jennings live interpretation

POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy 8 Summary of interpretive themes

Main aspiration Park users will understand the different ways people past, present and future shape and experience the physical place that is “Poole Park”

Planning in the park Being active in the park The theme mapping (overpage) shares an holistic Our stories will help people understand the motivations Our stories will help people understand the ways people overview of the park life topics and features we will people past, present and future have for creating and past, present and future use the park environment for consider for our stories. designing public open space and the different professional physical exercise. We will develop this map with ongoing research and use it skills, aesthetic considerations and civic procedures they to trace connections and understand the interwoven and use to implement this and to manage change. Playing in the park interdependent nature of many of our activities. Our stories will help people understand how people past, Local industry in the park present and future enjoy the parks assets and facilities Our stories will help people gain awareness of the different for informal and formal recreation. professional skills people past, present and future have to create and maintain the park landscape and built features Remembering in the park and the different techniques and materials they use. intangible issues / custom / practice Our stories will help people understand how people past, built features design and use parts of the park as present and future lost feature Managing (looking after) the park special places to remember, commemorate and reflect on Our stories will help people understand the ways those who personal, family, community or national ‘events’. look after the park balance the conservation of the park’s landscape natural and built assets with development to meet the needs Closer to nature in the park lost feature of park users past, present and future and how they Our stories will help people understand how people past, wildlife approach the day-to-day business of park life. present and future get closer to nature, experience and Subthemes: interact with the wildlife in the park. water Wartime in the park - impact of temporary or permanent change during WWII Meeting up in the park lost feature Doing business in the park - how people past, present Our stories will help people understand how people past, and future operate “concessions” within the park to offer present and future use the park’s assets and facilities services/entertainment to park users as opportunities for personal sharing, socialising and community spirit. Planting the park Our stories will help people understand the aesthetic Celebrating in the park considerations, physical conditions and skills needed past, Our stories will help people understand how people past, present and future to create and maintain a ‘special’ present and future use the park as a space to gather and open space. celebrate personal, family, community or civic events.

POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy 9 Theme mapping built features feature gone landscape feature gone water feature gone wildlife intangible issues / custom / practice

Public Health 1875 byelaws & regulations community enterprise petrol tank & Town Planning Act tendering for health & safety notices concessionaries cannon Victorian “Peoples Park” Movement erection of lodges, event management

bandstand, shelter, tourism “Conservation Area” & listings traffic managementwas -park bollards/closure keeper’s house WWII trench shelter cricket pavilion, Conservation Plan drinking fountain Fortes icecream kiosk c1945 “Dig for Victory” WWII Seldown Lodge 2014-2021 HLF project won by Rigler 88 stables & cart house is now information kiosk temporary allotments - railway embankment tennis court & Copse Close with “ladies waiting room” ironwork - foundry putting/crazy golf irrigation systems and other temp closures? sluice engineering railings, man holes East Gate Lodge was head gardener’s house greenhouses children’s zoo 1963 “Borough Engineer/Surveor” Elford cast iron gates original railings & gates with “ladies waiting room” (Zoological Park Chestnut Nursery ‘competition’ for initial designs 1886 E Howell removed during WWII park “concessions” drain gulley covers 1960 The Ark cafe for rmelting down/reuse design styles - High Victorian Meyer Veitch Nursery Cottage, Chinoiserie, Modern Movt information kiosk ...with soft play original landscaping rustic bridge over original railings entrance gates, piers and lamps Friends of Poole Park & volunteer groups and indoor ice rink freshwater lake fences W J Bacon Victorian planthunters Seldown, Norton, East Gate, (destroyed WWII) around the world Middle gate, Whitecliff flooding restaurant ornamental gate piers grounds maintenance Seldown Lodge 1888/89 WH Gray leaning tree mowing, pitch marking .. East Gate Lodge 1888/89 terracotta panels, litter collection go-cart hire seasonal displays summerhouse tiles, shell moulding & bedding plants etc - Jennings protected species - bats bandstand removed 1930s hire space for paid events SW Pottery planting for wildlife

rustic bridge (destroyed WWII) tree protection orders mini railway - wildflower meadows landscaping Veitch Keyhole bridge & underpass invasive species pollinators connections planting C Ingram, “pest” control Canada Geese lake edges? marsh + Wimborne land gift 1885 + D Stewart appropriate visitor : wildlife interactions council purchase + land exchange earthworks D Rigler Green Flag Award Rockley watersports training reed beds philanthropy islands/willow the inpark ecological buffer between boat hire concession - “zoning” urban area and Poole Harbour pedaloes / rowing / protected species horse chestnut avenue proximity to “designated areas” canoeing / sailing / windsurf beaked ... SSSI, Ramsar “landscape gardener” Meyer Veitch ecological research

“Arcadian Landscape” working water quality - biohazards - algae views protected species Copse Close Annex 19 star anenome in the park in the park

midge life cycle drainage the park in the park in the park tidal flow / flushing in the park invasive species

saline lagoon dredging

ornamental freshwater lakes weedcutting disruption? regular lake drain - litter pick lagoon islands echo harbour planting doing business managing planning local industry Wildlife Trust, school, volunteers ‘wartime’

POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy 10

arrival - tram/bus? shelters putting/crazy golf municipal pride bench seats Poole Municipal signposting/connections Gothic-style Grand Opening miniature railway track 1930s War Memorial WWI (1927) picnic tables commemoration panel on carriage drive station 1961/62 inscription added after WWII Seldown Lodge Learning outside swimming pool clubs’ facilities - cricket, parking Memorial Gates & railings the classroom bowls, model yacht etc Borough Coat of Arms aviaries 1912/13 bridges Burma Star Rose Garden cafe with soft play for toddlers fountain (centenary gift 1990) 19?? landing stages? fitness trail indoor ice rink bandstand changing seasons fitness trail restaurant commemoration events children’s zoo 1963 leaves, fruits, seeds swimming pool social ? community notices? Mountbatten Pillar 1980 conker challenge childrens’ gymnasium? commemoration benches cycle track bandstand bowling pavilions donation sceme around cricket ground fountains day time 1930 men 1950s ladies cycling (national cycle network) cricket pavilion tree planting Grand Opening 1890 feeding wildlife? picnic walking boathouse Rose Garden 125 Years Celebration appropriate interaction ash scattering orienteering ”formal recreation” - organised sports visitor : wildlife Mela Hospice fund temporary ”informal recreation” trees - shade, shelter, sitting on after dark ”active travel” through route sunflower installation Poole Carnival UN Rights of the Child - to play nocturnal “parkrun” weekly national event fundraising events outdoor theatre events bats cricket pitch events & celebrations promenading/’drives’ foxes birdwatching “Ladies walking field” tennis courts geese/swans health & well being agenda miniature railway from mid 1930s flying away What do you wear to exercise? 2 / mile around Swan lake green space/blue space to evening roost 3 close to nature, mental health land train ducks bowling green scouts / guides model yacht enclosure pond dipping hockey & lacrosse school groups 3.8 acres & cat walk 1952 seasonal cricket & Copse La. annexe - 1975 powerboats health & well being agenda temp lines/posts now Poole Radio Yacht moonlight Club? on the water fitness, green space/blue space leaning trees - climbing, jumping close to nature, mental health reflections circus skills - slack rope, diabolo Rockley watersports training feeding swans boat hire concession -

pond dipping in the park pedaloes / rowing / in the park in the park canoeing / sailing / windsurf boat hire - pedaloes / rowing / canoeing in the park in the park sailing / windsurf

in the park model yacht enclosure 3.8 acres & cat walk 1952 1975 powerboats now Poole Radio Yacht

physical improvement being active Club? playing remembering socialising, community spirit relaxing in the park? spiritual refreshment closer to nature meeting up celebrating

POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy 11 Theme detail: Planning in the park

Our stories will help people understand the motivations people WHY was Poole Park designed like that? past, present and future have for creating and designing Public Health 1875 Designs for the proposed park were submitted to a public open space and the different professional skills, & Town Planning Act competition (1886). This was common practice in the aesthetic considerations and civic procedures they used to Victorian “Peoples Park” Movement procurement in public park design at the time to generate implement this and to manage change. “Conservation Area” & listings ideas. The two winning designs were by Robert Veitch and Conservation Plan Reginald Upcher. Borough Engineer and Surveyor John Elford 2014-2021 HLF project reported that neither plan was capable of implementation and

railway embankment produced revised plan incorporating elements from both.

sluice engineering Elford created a landscape of simple zoning of recreational “Borough Engineer/Surveyor” uses ‘inland’ and opportunities for spiritual refreshment John Elford associated with the boating and freshwater lakes. His plan design competition detailed prestigious entrances with lodges and gates, the Park design styles - High Victorian Drive, curving paths and tree planting, with the boating lake Cottage, Chinoiserie, Modern Movt as a central focus. entrance gates, piers and lamps Seldown, Norton, East Gate, The entrance gates were deliberately designed to Middle gate, Whitecliff Why was Poole Park originally built? demonstrate civic pride and symbolise Poole with imagery Seldown Lodge 1888/89 Why HERE? Why THEN? from its port and harbour. The terracotta features on the gate East Gate Lodge 1888/89 During the 19th century the town of Poole expanded with piers and lodges were produced by the South Western Pottery summerhouse new residential suburbs being developed to the east of the Company of Parkstone, founded by George Jennings, a bandstand removed 1930s medieval and 18th century town and port. An embankment celebrated Victorian entrepreneur.

rustic bridge (destroyed WWII) built along a land spit in Poole Bay to carry the London to Keyhole bridge & underpass Weymouth railway cut off that part of the bay. The trapped connections water became a saline ‘lagoon’ surrounded by marshy land Prince blown away by new Park? marsh + Wimborne land gift 1885 + which was considered unsuitable for housing. The Grand Opening of Poole Park by the Prince of Wales council purchase + land exchange Original motivations - Victorian civic purpose, public health (later Edward VII) on 18 January 1890 is commemorated in philanthropy a gothic-style panel on the front “zoning” legislation and the movement to design People’s Parks. Philanthropy - Lord Wimborne land gift, additional land of Seldown Lodge. horse chestnut avenue purchase by the Council and agreement for construction of Streets were decorated and “landscape gardener” Meyer Veitch roads on east and west side of lake. the ceremony was scheduled “Arcadian Landscape” views to take place in a marquee in the Connection Copse Close Annex 1930 park. Unfortunately the marquee A tidal sluice constructed in embankment by Dorset Iron was damaged in a storm the night drainage Foundry Co. in 1886 and thedesign for arched subway before and so, after a carriage ride beneath embankment for use of carriages approved - tidal flow / flushing through park, the ceremony took Keyhole Bridge. place in a waiting room at saline lagoon In the early 1970s a pedestrian link under the railway Poole Station prior to the ornamental freshwater lakes embankment was opened which now connected Poole Park Prince’s departure. lagoon islands echo harbour with new open space and the harbour beyond.

POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy 12 resources, comparisons and inspirations

Lectern-style board is proposed near western entrance, The view visitors currently see from Seldown Entrance What view did park users see in 1900? top of West Field at new arrival space Layout today is quite close to original planned by Elford

“Framing” the view?

wide views Original plan by John Elford, Inspiration: Sustrans portrait Mrs Jennings Borough Engineer and Surveyor benches, peep board photo live interpretation opportunities and selfies

John Elford

Historic visualisation using archive reference - Gravel Drive with horse and carriage / Victorian cyclist, picnic on west field and children playing traditional Victorian games (hoops etc) / promenading long the Drive and lagoon /muddy lake edge (now concrete) / boating in the lagoon and use of landing stages / Victorian seats / band stand and summer house / heathland and farmland in the distance / smoking steam engine on railway bank that severed lagoon from harbour

Art activities with mental health group and local school casting plaster of paris features Eagles, suitable for Gate Piers, £ s d from pottery moulds and painting them. Lecterns &c, right and left hand 5 5 0 Remaking features in other materials. JENNINGS CATALOGUE (See Activity Plan)

POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy 13 Theme detail: Managing (looking after) the park ~ water

Our stories will help people understand the ways those who Sluice look after the park balance the conservation of the park’s Public Health Act An embankment built along a land spit in Poole Bay to carry natural and built assets with development to meet the needs Town Planning Act the London to Weymouth railway cut off that part of the bay. of park users past, present and future and how they byelaws & regulations The trapped water became a saline ‘lagoon’. Creation of approach the day-to-day business of park life. health & safety notices park on surrounding marshy land brought concerns for water sluice/algae quality and the idea of refreshing water by sluice flushing operations. Conservation Plan Taking on the Poole Park Pong! 2014 HLF project consultation (headline ref Bournemouth Daily Echo May 2011) The lagoon exchanges water into Poole Harbour which is now railway embankment Our challenge today is balancing recreation use and park ecologically designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI); a Special Protected Area (SPA) and a Ramsar site. sluice engineering aesthetics with the ecological value of lagoon. The difficulty of managing a highly dynamic ecosystem of a land drains On site: Sluice gate, bridge and piers, original cast iron gate sluiced tidal lagoon, shallow water depths and the discharge into a fenced enclosure. The bridge over the inlet has brick Spring tides of surface water from the surrounding catchment area into the piers which match the design of the entrance piers flooding lagoon has resulted in poor water quality, periods of extensive The brick piers/terracotta dressing are original and show weed growth and outbreaks of midge infestations. litter collection mountings for gates that at one time restricted access to the protected species - bats Originally formed part of Poole Harbour this area would have sluice gate area by boats using the lake. These gates were tree protection orders been refreshed with seawater on every tide. With water probably removed during the second world war. exchanges with the harbour now controlled by sluice gates we invasive species need to overcome a number of challenges to manage the lake Only rain down the drain Green Flag Award to its best potential. Normal tides don’t have a great enough The needs of urban Poole have led to over 50 land drains “pest” control Canada Geese effect need the extreme low water level and high water level entering the lake from a variety of sources. The total 2 appropriate interactions of monthly spring tides to drain water from lake and flush fresh catchment area for surface water drain inputs is about 2km . visitor : wildlife tidal water in. The combined effect of multiple freshwater drain inputs biodiversity decreases the salinity between tidal flushing. We have used of weed harvesters and floating barley ecological buffer between The ‘only rain down the drain’ campaign is intended to urban area and Poole Harbour straw bales to discourage algal growth and worked with proximity to “designated areas” Bournemouth University to research water quality and increase awareness of effect of pouring pollutants such as SSSI, Ramsar potential management solutions which may include light- phosphates, detergents and fertiliser into land drains on the ecological research filtering dyes, dredging and an automated sluice. nutrient and contaminant loading in the lake water and bed water quality - biohazards - algae sediment.

protected species star anenome, beaked tasselweed

midge life cycle

invasive species

dredging

weedcutting

regular lake drain - litter pick Wildlife Trust, school, volunteers

POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy 14 resources, comparisons and inspirations

Lectern-style board is proposed near sluice footbridge DANGER! Strong water currents through sluice gates

Stay out of the water Taking on near this sluice the POOLE Water is flushed into and wide views Context - Sluice gate and winding mechanism are out of the lake through PARK PONG! these sluice gates within British Rail boundary on the lake side of the depending on tidal flow Bourmouth Daily Echo to maintain water quality 2011? embankment. Recommendation to restore piers, sluice consider reinstating swing gates to restrict access and replace fencing with original-style iron work. Inspiration for possible Crimped wave railings with motifs elsewhere in park - cut work on wheelchair- consider motifs appropriate for southern lake edge? DANGER! friendly lectern side No paddle zone and hazard warning signs on both sides of to indicate flushing operations. Flushing in progress supports. Trains pass by Explore more accessible hazard warning with illustrative link to sluice interpretation. southern path today.

Why flush? “Unseen” protected star anenome Trapped water, land drains and too many and problematic midge make nutrients. Balance to achieve best conditions interesting shapes for trail for protected species. marker rubbings Weedharvester cutting tons of tassel/ blanket weed.

birds eye elevation How to flush? sluice gate raised to drain lake Sluice engineering and to let tidal water in

Lake Sluice gate railway sluice

water ushing depending on footbridge tide

footbridge railway sluice Drainage channel

Sluice gate Stop log channel

POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy 15 Theme detail: Managing (looking after) the park ~ landscape

Our stories will help people understand the ways those who Trees look after the park balance the conservation of the park’s The majority of trees were planted as the Park was laid out byelaws & regulations natural and built assets with development to meet the needs in the late 19th century. A tree survey in 1990 recorded 76 health & safety notices of park users past, present and future and how they different species (around1076 trees): event management approach the day-to-day business of park life. 81.5 % were broad leaved trees (horse chestnut, deciduous traffic managementwas -park bollards/closure keeper’s house Our stories will help people understand the aesthetic oak, holm oak, poplar, willow alder) Seldown Lodge considerations, physical conditions and skills needed 18.5% were conifers (pine, others) stables & cart house past, present and future to create and maintain ‘special’ with “ladies waiting room” Interesting and unusual species reflect the Victorians’ passion open spaces. for planting hunting including: tree of heaven, araucaria, East Gate Lodge was head gardener’s house maidenhair tree, Persian iron wood, liquid amber and swamp with “ladies waiting room” Looking after an ‘idealised landscape’ cypress. park “concessions” Trees subject to a number of pressures including disease, information kiosk Robert Veitch & Son, a notable family of Victorian plant rising water table, change in climate, storm damage and Friends of Poole Park & volunteer groups hunters, and F.W. Meyer, a researched landscape designer, ground compaction due to visitor pressure (such as parking). are credited with preparing one of the winning competition flooding Today our trees are managed by specialist arboricultural designs and implementation of landscape works. grounds maintenance officers. mowing, pitch marking .. The Veitch Nurseries, of Exeter and Chelsea, were the largest Planting Horticultural displays litter collection group of family-run plant nurseries in Europe during the 19th Horticultural areas added during the twentieth century provide protected species - bats irrigation systems century. They supported plant hunting expeditions around the world which brought back curious and wonderful species from points of interest and horticultural diversity. There are bedding tree protection orders greenhouses Australasia, China and Africa and made them available for areas at Seldown Lodge and East Gate entrances. Formal invasive species Chestnut Nursery cultivation. The firm had, by the outbreak of the First World lawns, hedging and bedding provide a setting to the War Memorial with a raised linear rose bed leading from the “pest” control Canada Geese War, introduced 1281 plants into cultivation, which were either Meyer Veitch Nursery previously unknown or newly bred varieties. memorial gates. appropriate visitor : wildlife interactions original landscaping Green Flag Award Victorian planthunters Lawn and grassland As detailed in our Activity Plan we will be working with ecological buffer between around the world our volunteer group and horticultural therapy participants to Open areas of lawn play an important role in providing a urban area and Poole Harbour develop the planting in the proposed new quiet gardens. leaning tree natural visual amenity and recreational use. The fine turf at Seldown Lodge and East gate entrances is Our challenges today seasonal displays protected from pounding feet access by low rails. & bedding plants We are committed to your sustainable enjoyment of Poole The park contains large areas of amenity grass including park by adopting environmentally sustainable strategies and planting for wildlife West field Events area, with sports turf Copse Close playing - wildflower meadows maintenance techniques: fields and cricket pitch. The wicket and bowling greens are • minimal use of chemicals, pollinators fertilised, spike, rolled and watered. • chosing plants that don’t need so much watering, lake edges? • mulching and optimised timing • peat free composts • promoting public transport to reach the Park.

POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy 16 resources, comparisons and inspirations

Plant Collectors’ Garden This proposed garden will label key plants with their name and the story behind their discovery. It will an enclosed space for entertaining and meeting. A place for the exchange of information, ‘seeds’ and memories ...

The 1970s saw a period of themed topiary and colourful bedding in the Park featuring television favorites. Poole Park has Green Flag status (Civic Trust Award). The Council’s ground maintenance team at work in Poole Park and adjacent Whitecliff Recreation Ground.

Managing a shared space for all - tone of voice? - health and safety - visitor behaviour?

Byelaws for Pleasure Grounds, Public Walks and Open Spaces adequate for problems of the day but new problems evolve ..... Miniature railway over bridge, Dog Control Orders open access elsewhere Inspiration USA park sign ref James Carter AHI

POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy 17 Theme detail: Being active / Playing in the park ~ water

Our stories will help people understand the ways people past, Watersports Islands made present and future use the park environment for physical concession from dredgings exercise.

landing stages Our stories will help people understand how people past, present and future enjoy the parks assets and facilities for What do you wear to exercise? informal and formal recreation.

land train

scouts / guides school groups Elford’s original park layout provided separate areas for health & well being agenda ‘physical improvement’ and ‘spiritual refreshment’. fitness, green space/blue space The physical improvement area was inland away close to nature, mental health from the water’s edge and subdivided into the cycling / Rockley watersports training cricket area, and the tennis area. Spiritual improvement

boat hire concession - encompassed the ‘Arcadian landscape’ and the boating pedaloes / rowing / and freshwater lakes. The large lake was a focal point and canoeing / sailing / windsurf provided opportunity for swimming, paddling and boating. boathouse Promenading and feeding swans was a popular past time. ”formal recreation” - organised sports By the beginning of WWII, the Park was a well established Poole Radio ”informal recreation” home for several clubs and organisations and a venue for Yacht Clubhouse UN Rights of the Child regular sporting events, including bowling, model yachting, feeding swans tennis, cycling and cricket often being played at county level.

pond dipping From the early 1900s paddling, rowing and sailing water- boat hire - pedaloes / based recreational use has developed to include 1980s rowing / canoeing passenger steamer and electric fun (bumper) boats to sailing / windsurf windsurfing and stand-up paddle-boarding. model yacht enclosure 3.8 acres & cat walk 1952 In 2007 we dredged sediment from the lake bottom to 1975 powerboats improve conditions for watersports. We used the dredgings now Poole Radio Yacht to create islands that are in the shape and arrangement of Club? Poole Harbour’s islands.

Frozen water? Going out on the ice can be dangerous and is not advised today. Instead lots of fun is had in the indoor ice rink.

POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy 18 resources, comparisons and inspirations

Lectern style board is proposed near freshwater lakes/boating lake

lakes

POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy 19 Theme detail: Being active / Playing in the park ~ landscape

Our stories will help people understand the ways people past, present and future use the park environment for physical putting/crazy golf exercise. arrival - tram/bus? miniature railway track 1930s signposting/connections station 1961/62 Our stories will help people understand how people past, swimming pool present and future enjoy the parks assets and facilities for carriage drive informal and formal recreation. Lost feature - Zoo aviaries 1912/13 parking fitness trail bridges

landing stages children’s zoo 1963 Most of Poole Park’s 43 hectares are directly accessible social ? fitness trail childrens’ gymnasium? to the public. The landscape is enjoyed by early morning swimming pool bowling pavilions joggers, young children and their parents visiting play areas, cycle track 1930 men 1950s ladies dog walkers and exercise groups. Many people working around cricket ground cricket pavilion nearby visit the park during their lunchbreaks and local residents describe it as an extension to their outdoor living boathouse cycling (national cycle network) space. ”formal recreation” - organised sports Lost feature - Swimming pool walking ”informal recreation” orienteering The two playgrounds are well-used as are the ‘leaning UN Rights of the Child - to play trees’ - fallen Corsican Pine trees that have continued yoga, dumbbells cricket pitch growing in a curious shape. ”active travel” through route tennis courts Elford’s original park layout provided separate areas for “parkrun” weekly national event ‘physical improvement’ and ‘spiritual refreshment’. miniature railway from mid 1930s promenading/’drives’ 2 / mile around Swan lake 3 The physical improvement area was inland away “Ladies walking field” from the water’s edge and subdivided into the cycling / bowling green cricket area, and the tennis area. Spiritual improvement What do you wear to exercise? hockey & lacrosse encompassed the ‘Arcadian landscape’ and the boating land train seasonal cricket & Copse La. annexe - and freshwater lakes. Promenading and feeding swans temp lines/posts scouts / guides was a popular past time and so was visiting the aviaries Today - natural play and fitness trail leaning trees - climbing, jumping school groups (constructed in c1911) and later the miniature railway

health & well being agenda circus skills - slack rope, diabolo (1930s). fitness, green space/blue space close to nature, mental health By the beginning of WWII, the Park was a well established home for several clubs and organisations and a venue for regular sporting events, including bowling, model yachting, tennis, cycling and cricket often being played at county level.

POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy 20 resources, comparisons and inspirations

Lectern-style board is proposed near cricket ground

cricket ground

Mrs Jennings What are you wearing in the park today? live interpretation corsets, petticoats, plus-fours, top hat & tails, parasol ...

Reflect on past media forms to inspire future? What else was going on in Victorian times? Inspiration: Stills photography and Muybridge sequential ‘motion’ photography

Zoetrope / phenakistoscope / magic lantern show

Pennyfarthing-style Cricket scoreboard cycle racks by cricket box obtrusively visible pavilion and Westfield in and out of season - How did you record your day at the park? silhouetting?

POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy 21 Theme detail: Remembering in the park

Our stories will help people understand how people past, Personal remembrance present and future design and use parts of the park as What encourages us to reflect? special places to remember, commemorate and reflect on personal, family, community or national ‘events’. Proposed Rose Garden

development into sensory garden as a special place to visit, reflect, Municipal commemoration grieve or recall happy moments Poole Municipal Poole’s wait for a war memorial associated with all stages of life. War Memorial WWI (1927) inscription added after WWII The memorial was dedicated October 1927, but why did a Planted for scent, texture and

Memorial Gates & railings town of Poole’s size (then 48,000) wait for nine years after the meaning with central feature with end of the Great War to commemorate its war dead? bird bath - water reflecting the sky, commemoration events Caused much controversy as first freestanding war memorial bird symbol of life words/poems Burma Star Rose Garden in Poole dedicated 1919 in Hamworthy. Discussions, inscribed on bench proposals, letters to Poole Herald, money collected - and with Mountbatten Pillar (1980) returned or given to hospital. Plant remembrance the daisies, forget-me-nots and honeysuckle of commemoration benches Ex-Servicemen’s Club 1923 and Mayor Alderman Herbert childhood ... the wisteria, rosemary and lavender of donation sceme Carter (5 times mayor) influence. “Something must be done a kitchen garden ... violets for loss ... to wipe away the reproach” of a town like Poole having no the roses and gypsophylla of a wedding day ... municipal war memorial.

1925 Decision cenotaph rather than building. Site chosen. Sea View viewpoint rejected as it was venue for coach parties and too exposed for Remembrance day services. Dorset life april 2010 Chris moreton regional volunteer for War memorials Trust memorials Dorset life april 2010 Chris moreton regional volunteer for War “Secluded corner” lakeside site in Poole Park. tree planting

Rose Garden Memorial scheme designed by local architect James Allner - ash scattering from new memorial gates into Poole Park leading to slender Hospice fund temporary 25 ft high cross in local stone (C15th style). sunflower installation

fundraising events

POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy 22 resources, comparisons and inspirations

Lectern-style board is proposed near memorial and rose garden and leaning tree A memorial scheme plan may have tactile possibilities memorial scheme alignment view from lake shore memorial gates memorial

Taking on steps the POOLE steps PARK PONG! Bourmouth Daily Echo 25 ft high 2011? path between lawns .Inscription (eroded) They died that we Context: alignment, respectful, ceremonial might live. We will Flight of stone steps from memorial gates to low remember them. raised rectangular rosebed crosses over Park Cross on top carved Drive path between lawn panels to reach circular suggestions of dolphin raised terrace. To rear steps descend to lake. drive and scallops from Poole Coat of Arms. steps

raised rose bed

steps Inspiration: Appropriate occasional steps Floodlit and projection for Centenary memorial gates permanent? temporary?

Inspiration: Poppy Field by Valise Noire. (HLF funded) dramatic interpretation for Poole WWI Centenary sensitive use of memorial area - bandaging leaning tree etc

POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy 23 Theme detail: Closer to nature in the park

Our stories will help people understand how people past, We’re on a diet! Learning outside present and future get closer to nature, experience and We’re asking everyone who feeds our ducks to Managing the park the classroom interact with the wildlife in the park. consider swapping the usual white bread for something changing seasons a little healthier. Spring tides leaves, fruits, seeds flooding If we supplement the diet of wild birds we should, as closely conker challenge Poole Park forms an important ecological buffer between the as possible, mimic their natural diet. The microbes in their gut litter collection urban areas and Poole Harbour which is protected by some which are evolved to deal with particular foods, but can’t cope feeding wildlife? of the highest national and international designations for protected species - bats well with others; their gut flora is different to ours. Overfeeding appropriate interaction ecological protection, including: visitor : wildlife tree protection orders with poor food choices is detrimental to the birds and their • Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) environment. Uneaten bread either directly adds to the invasive species day time nitrification problem in lakes or attracts rats and other vermin after dark / nocturnal • Special Protected Area (SPA) Green Flag Award which bring their own problems. bats “pest” control Canada Geese • Ramsar Site foxes Offering a cheap, readily available and toddler-friendly appropriate interactions The park is a formal, urban park with no ecological alternative is a great way to encourage mums and little ones geese/swans visitor : wildlife designations itself but is now managed for its potential to away from bread. Concession could be limiting the amount of flying away biodiversity provide habitats for wildlife. to evening roost seed they sell in a day (‘if the bin is empty, the birds are full!’). ecological buffer between We have put bird and bat boxes in some of the mature trees ducks urban area and Poole Harbour proximity to “designated areas” and flowerbeds and herbaceous borders are a valuable nectar pond dipping The appearance and droppings SSSI, Ramsar source for pollinating insects. Long grass and meadows and freshwater of a large population of Greylag ecological research areas of seeded wildflower meadows near the freshwater and Canada Geese conflicts salt water water quality - biohazards - algae lakes provide habitat and food sources for invertebrates. with public use of some areas, moonlight protected species There is a wide variety of birds including Goldeneye, Little particularly around the freshwater on the water star anenome lakes and cricket pitch. Some reflections Egret, Oystercatcher, Tufted Duck, Turnstone, Gadwall, midge life cycle Garganey, Coot, Moorhen and a range of common parkusers have strong views invasive species waterflowl and woodland species. about our need to control numbers in line with current legislation. dredging The ways we try to improve habitat value will have to respect weedcutting the historic character and intended use of the park. regular lake drain - litter pick In 2007 we dredged sediment from the lake bottom to improve Wildlife Trust, school, volunteers conditions for watersports. We used the dredgings to create islands that are in the shape and arrangement of Poole Harbour’s islands. A very mini cruise for the pedaloes! To improve water quality and combat lake edge erosion we could set aside parts of the boating lake for reedbeds and marginal vegetation but this may not be achieved without compromising public use of these areas.

POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy 24 resources, comparisons and inspirations

No bread please!

I really like ... seeds - pellets - sweetcorn lettuce - defrosted peas oats - vegetable peelings

in the life of ..’ wildlife trails - ‘Day Nocturnal / life of Poole Park possibly leaflets or led walk - trail Night flew to roost m a r k e r r u b b i n g s ...... S e a s o n a l Inspiration: installations in Bournemouth

ate

Torch stencil walks Lighting gobos on lampposts for special events winter time masks eg Wildlife Watch

Resource: terracotta features on Reflect on past media forms to inspire future? magic wheels entrance pillars What else was going on in Victorian times?

Art installation in Poole Park Stills photography and Muybridge sequential ‘motion’ photography

zoetrope / phenakistoscope

POOLE PARK Interpretation Strategy 25