Poole Park Lake
A project was undertaken between January - April 2007 to dredge an area of Poole Park's salt water lake, and create five small islands and two raised reedbeds using the dredged material (sand and silts) retained by willow hurdles.
The shape of the islands mimic (in miniature) those in Poole Harbour and planting of appropriate aquatic species will create new areas of wildlife habitat.
The reedbeds have been constructed around the outlets of surface water drainage pipes, which will help to improve the quality of rainwater run-off entering the lake by that route.
A programme of planting started mid-May and will develop over a period of two or three years.
The selection of species selected has been based both on professional advice and on an experimental exercise carried out at the far side of the lake since 2004, from which we have developed an understanding of the type of vegetation able to withstand the constantly changing salinity of lake water, and at what level they should be planted. They include Sea aster, Juncus maritimus, Scirpus maritimus and Phragmites australis (common reed).
The stability of the islands & reedbeds will rely on the root systems that develop and it is possible that the perimeters and planting will require occasional reinforcement until they become fully established. The willow hurdles will biodegrade over time.
With deeper cleaner water, and the boathouse that's included in the lakeside restaurant development, the lake will attract recreational sailors for the first time in many years.
Further information on sailing and other watersports activities at Poole Park. 
The plan illustrates the position, size and shape of the five islands created; below it is a photograph of the first and largest of the islands (Brownsea) created in March:
Contact
Please address any project enquiries or comments to David Robson, Senior Engineer
E-mail: d.robson@poole.gov.uk
More Leisure Projects
- Alexandra Park
- Bourne Valley Park
- Bourne Valley Play Area
- Hamworthy Park
- Kingston Road Recreation Ground
- Poole Park Lake
- Sandbanks Recreation Ground
- St Georges Field Recreation Ground
- Upton Country Park Walled Garden
- Whitecliff Recreation Ground
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