A few notes from this evening's view of the revised plans.
The plans have been split into two phases with the second phase not expected to included in the Heritage Lottery Fund bid. The second phase includes most of the plans at the bottom of the park; opening up the nature trail, integrating the pathway to Westwood Park, the wetland area, and the flat kick-about area. So none of this is likely to happen to start.
- What is included is a new educational building, which has been moved to the edge of the park, partially on the area that has the animal enclosure.
- The animal enclosure would have a path running through it so that you can see the animals better.
- A new 'musical play' area would be created where the composting is currently located (to the south of the bandstand).
- The sunken garden and the area south of it (currently the African garden) would remain open during park opening hours - not limited to museum opening hours as had previously been proposed.
- There appear to be plans to turn the African garden into something resembling allotments.
- There would be a fountain or water feature in the centre of the the sunken garden
- Refurbishment of the toilets, Dutch barn and bandstand
It is not perfect, but there are some good plans. It is a shame that phase two will be left until later, but it does avoid some of the criticisms made by Scipio, at least for a few years.