Residents show support for a Friends of Brooklands Park group

Dozens of residents turned out to find out more about ambitious plans for Brooklands Park in Worthing and how they can become involved in looking after it.

A packed meeting at the Richmond Rooms, behind Worthing Town Hall, heard about the Worthing Borough Council scheme to make significant environmental improvements to the park’s lake.

Residents were also invited to register their interest in joining a Friends of Brooklands Park group to help maintain the area moving forward and have a say in the future direction of the popular attraction.

Work is expected to start in October to revitalise the lake and create new habitats for wildlife. This includes:

·         Removing a build-up of silt and using it to form new margins around the lake

·         Creating a new island in the middle of the lake

·         Planting new trees and plants

·         Introducing a boardwalk through the reeds so visitors feel part of their new surroundings.

Representatives from Five Rivers Environmental Contracting, the company appointed to carry out the work, explained that the existing wildlife on the lake would not be affected. An ecologist would be on site full time throughout the project, which is expected to take two to three months to complete.

Councillor Diane Guest, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Environment, said: "It was great to see so many people at the meeting and to share the exciting plans for the lake with them.

"I'm really looking forward to the work getting under way and, with the help and support of a Friends of Brooklands Park group, establishing a lovely new lake for visitors and residents to enjoy for years to come."

Sue Standing, Chairman of the Friends of Heene Cemetery group, gave the meeting an insight into her experiences as a volunteer, and the meeting was shown a draft constitution for a Friends of Brooklands Park group.

A further meeting is planned for October as the next stage in forming the group.

The planned improvements for Brooklands Lake