Poole Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Poole Park |
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| Type | Urban park |
| Location | Poole, Dorset |
| Area | 110 acres (45 ha) |
| Created | 1890 |
| Operated by | Poole Borough Council |
| Status | Open all year |
Poole Park is a large park right next to Poole Harbour in Poole, Dorset, England. It's a popular place for both locals and visitors. The park first opened a long time ago, during the Victorian era. It has been a favorite spot ever since. You can visit Poole Park any day of the year. It also hosts many fun events.
Park History
The land for Poole Park was given by Lord Wimborne. He was an important person in the area. The park was officially opened in 1890. The Prince of Wales opened it back then. He later became King Edward VII.
The park was built on old meadows and marshy land. It is close to the town center and Poole Harbour. The whole park covers about 110 acres. A big part of this, about 60 acres, is taken up by the park's lake and ponds.
From 1963 to 1994, there was a small zoo in Poole Park. It even had a Himalayan black bear at one point. In 1995, the park became a special Conservation Area. This means it is protected for its natural beauty.
Around 2007, the park had a big improvement project. The lake was made deeper. Five small islands and two raised reed beds were added. A new restaurant was also built. Plus, a fun indoor ice rink was created for children.
In 2015, more good news came for Poole Park. It received £260,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This money helped with a big redevelopment plan. The Friends of Poole Park group worked hard to raise funds. The money was used for research on the boating lake. The park continues to be improved for everyone to enjoy.
Things to Do at the Park
Poole Park has many exciting things to do. There are two play areas for children. You can also find tennis courts and a bowling green. If you like mini-golf, there's a course for that too. The Poole Park Railway is a small train ride that kids love.
A cricket field is also inside the park. It is home to the Poole Town Cricket Club. The large lake is perfect for water sports. You can go sailing, windsurfing, or kayaking. Rowing and model yacht racing are also popular. The Poole Radio Yacht Club uses the lake for their model boats.
The boating lake is very big, about 21 hectares. It is usually between 1 and 1.5 meters deep. The lake water is special because it is brackish. This means it is a mix of fresh water and salt water. It gets filled from the harbor during high tides. It also gets water from local drains.
Every Saturday morning, a free event called Parkrun takes place. It's a timed 5-kilometer (about 3.1 miles) running event. It starts near the cricket pavilion at 9:00 am. The run uses flat paths, making it easy for everyone. Many people join Poole Parkrun each week. On Christmas Day in 2019, a record 1345 runners took part!
