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14 Jul 08School Children Revamp Local Gardens
Students from two Poole schools have applied the finishing touches to an artistic revamp of a park alongside Branksome Chine.
Over recent weeks pupils from six Poole schools have been paving the popular cliff-top path in Pinecliff Gardens with coloured block pavers and six 20-metre path sections representing British reptiles.
Staff from local construction company J. Corcoran Ltd were on hand throughout the project offering their expertise and tuition to the students laying the materials donated by Keyline Builders' Merchants 
.
Works to create the woodland and heathland scenes began on May 14 with teenagers from Parkstone Grammar and St Edwards schools painting quarry tiles designed by local artist Maria Burns.
Students from Parkstone Grammar, St Edwards, Carter Community , Ashdown Technology College and Corfe Hills have been laying the scenes in the sunken garden on the path to the beach along with block pavers they have individually painted and designed.
Cllr Peter Adams, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, said: ""Poole is blessed with a great range of public open spaces. We have some fantastic views and amazing wildlife, which this project celebrates, but it couldn't happen without the support of businesses and schools. The most exciting element has been involving the creative inspiration of many local youngsters to make this a stimulating place that anyone can enjoy."
The final touches to the path were added by students from Victoria Education Centre with help from fellow pupils of Ashdown Technology College, completing a major part of the project led by Leisure Services at Borough of Poole.
Other improvements to the gardens include flowers planted by children from Lilliput First School during the winter months and a makeover to a wooden shelter, which will be decorated with a beautiful sea mural by Maria Burns.
The park's revamp will be completed later this year with the arrival of carved wooden sculptures of local wildlife. With help from a donation from Quantum Homes , the wooden creations which include a green tiger beetle, a pair of bottle nosed dolphins, a wood ant and a 16 foot sand lizard will form a sculpture play trail.
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