Facilities
Bourne Valley Park
Herbert Avenue
Parkstone
BH12
Email: leisure@poole.gov.uk
Enquiries: 01202 265265
Bourne Valley Park in Alderney (formerly known as Alderney Recreation Ground) occupies 15 hectares of low-lying land adjacent to the Bourne Valley Local Nature Reserve, an important heathland site afforded national and international protection (SSSI, SPA, SAC and Ramsar site).
Before the grassland became too waterlogged for sports use, much of the site was covered in football pitches, but in 2006/2007 the site was transformed into a green oasis for wildlife at the heart of Poole. Extensive earthworks and landscaping have created a range of habitats including reedbeds, heathland and a wild flower meadow. The site is renowned locally for its dragonfly and newt populations and the woodland area is home to a large colony of pipistrelle bats.
The Bourne Stream has been reinstated through the long field using "soft engineering" techniques and a small fishing lake created, offering local young people the opportunity to learn & develop angling skills alongside peers and mentors. The fishery is managed by Poole's Leisure Services with help from knowledgeable local residents.
The stream is crossed by a bridge and a weir, seats and litter bins have been installed, and new footpath/cycleways meander through the site linking local communities and schools.
Wheelchair and mobility scooter users can gain access at a recently installed kissing gate at Herbert Avenue (radar key required); further disabled access is being planned.
Ease of access for people with disabilities:
We encourage the use of all our facilities by everyone. Please let us know if you have any suggestions on how we could improve this facility for you.
Facilities at this venue:
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