Our Aims:

As set out in our Constitution, the Society exists for the following purposes:

1. For the public benefit to secure the re-establishment, preservation, protection and improvement of Queen�s Park (including Queen�s Park West Open Space), Bournemouth, as a place of beauty and historical interest and for the rest, recreation and enjoyment of the whole neighbouring community and the general public;

2. To provide or assist in the provision of equipment or facilities for recreation and other leisure time occupation;

3. To assist with the conservation and encouragement of wildlife;

4. To educate the public in the history, plant-life, wildlife and other aspects of the Park.

Specific Suggestions:

Council Officers have acknowledged their new statutory duty to conduct "robust consultation" with local people to find out what they want from their Parks. This is not a list of demands, but a non-exhaustive list of ideas that local people might consider desirable. None of the ideas in this list would interfere directly with the continuance of golfing in Queen's Park.

1. A Nature Reserve around the Lake, with additional natural visual and acoustic screening from Wessex Way and golf fairways, additional seating and more imaginative planting to include flowering plants;

2. A Nature trail through the woodland;

3. Information boards describing the Park's history and wildlife;

4. Archaeological investigation and interpretation of the Park - there is evidence of the existence of enclosures perhaps of medieval origin;

5. Toilets near the Lake (lack of toilets, perhaps surprisingly, is identified as the greatest deterrent to Park use in several national surveys of Park use. These could be made unobtrusive as part of the planned redevelopment of the groundsman's compound);

6. Children's play area at Queen's Park West (this is now in the Council's borough-wide play plan);

7. Refurbishment of the Rifle Range, perhaps to provide additional archery facilities and changing rooms for the football pitches;

8. Renovation of the Pavilion to provide access for the disabled and those with pushchairs, and to make it appear more inviting to non-golfers. It is in a prime position that could become a popular dining location drawing in much higher revenues throughout the week and particularly on Sundays;

9. Regular Summer Sunday afternoon concert series at the Pavilion;

10. Refurbishment of the shelter at Queen's Park West;

11. Provision of a park ranger to patrol on Sundays;

12. Marking out of 5-a-side football pitches on the Queen's Park West football field;

13. Improvements to the pathways to allow wheelchair and pushchair access. The Council have acknowledged their duty to review this under recent legislation;

14. Setting out of BMX cycling area in woodland in Queen's Park West;

15. Provision of a "sensory garden" in Queen's Park West.

16. Dedication of cycle and equestrian routes to enable regular enjoyment of the Park by a wider range of people.

For further explanation of these issues, click here to read the Chairman's address from the General Meeting on 10th September 2002. Funding could be sought from a number of sources, including the Heritage Lottery Fund.