Have your say on how Wokingham's California Country Park could be improved
Wokingham Residents, park lovers and community representatives are now being asked for their views on which option they would like the council’s countryside service to try to secure funding for via a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) scheme bid this autumn.
The three broad ideas are focused mainly on potential changes to the facilities and buildings at the Finchampstead country park, which currently houses a scout hut, café area, toilets and small car park.
The first option includes:
· Keeping the current café building
· Extending the scout hut to improve facilities
· Enhancing the landscape which would open up the area and improve routes into the park
The second option includes:
· Creating a new multi-use building behind the current café building
· Constructing a courtyard which links the café and new building, which will also provide a quiet area
· Retaining the scout hut for storage or if it needs to be demolished for planning reasons it could be turned into an adventure playground for older children.
The third option includes:
· Creating a new café and visitor centre on the lake edge.
· Converting the existing café into a multi-purpose building so community groups, like the scouts, can use it
All three options have a list of advantages and disadvantages that the Wokingham community can use to shape their comments and suggestions on which option they would like to see explored further.
Ideas will be welcomed by anyone who uses the park, lives in the nearby area, is a member of a local community group or is a parish representative. The deadline for all comments is noon on Monday June 30.
Once all the ideas have been submitted and reviewed the countryside service will ask the council’s decision-making executive to endorse the most popular and feasible idea.
A funding bid for money to develop the scheme will then be submitted to the HLF under its Parks for People lottery grant system in the autumn.
Simon Weeks, executive member for Wokingham environment, said: “It’s important we get to hear as many people’s views as possible on how we should improve California Country Park. The country park is a great spot which is perfect for families, dog-walkers, joggers, anglers and the community to enjoy, but sadly the facilities there do not always meet the expectations and need of the people using it.
“We want to make sure that the facilities there are improved, which is why we are pursuing heritage lottery funding for improvements. But we want to make sure those upgrades are in line with what the community wants to see there, which is why it’s vital that everyone who uses and enjoys the park should tell us what they think.”
Residents can pick up a feedback form at the California Dreaming Café at California Country Park, or on the borough council’s website at www.wokingham.gov.uk/california-options
Wokingham Borough Council
<< Home