Leisure Projects

The Greenspace Development team are responsible for leisure improvements and investments in Poole's parks and open spaces. 

Details of all projects, past and present, are available on www.leisureprojects.net

• Playbuilder - In January 2009 a successful application to the Department of Children, Schools and Families resulted in a £1 million award being made towards the improvement of Poole Play Areas. By 2011, 22 of Poole's 46 play areas will benefit from the scheme.
• The first five Playbuilder improvememts will be officially opened on 15th February 2010
• Parkstone Park will benefit from an investment in excess of £350,000 during 2010.  Initial proposals have been drafted and consulted on.  The results are available online .  
• Oakdale Community Park will soon be a reality.  Plans are underway to turn an old school playing field into an appealing park and play area.

2009 has seen a variety of projects successfully started or delivered including:

• Whitecliff play area - Successfully completed in April 2009 the play area is in keeping with its harbour side location. It includes a six-metre high multi-activity lighthouse tower and a play helicopter that was commissioned in honour of the emergency helicopters that use Whitecliff as a landing pad [more ].
• Green Gym - April 2009 also saw the installation of gym equipment from rowing machines to balancing bars in Poole Park, Baiter and Whitecliff. Designed to attract all ages and abilities, the equipment is placed in a series of activity stations across 2km and 5km activity routes through the three parks, which are marked by bronze plaques set in the ground [more ].
• Hamworthy play area - June 2009 saw the completion of a new challenging and adventurous play area in Hamworthy Park for young people over nine years of age. A play area for younger children was created in May 2007 [more ].
• Sandbanks Beach play area - Completed in July 2009 the Sandbanks beach play area includes activities such as sand play, musical play and role play. There is also a shaded area to offer protection from the midday sun - or a spot of rain! [more ]

Most projects are delivered using Planning Obligations Funding.  This is money that private developers pay to the Council for providing essential facilities and services because of increased residential development. Contributions can go towards roads, schools, healthcare, play and recreational facilities.