The first stage of the public consultation on the future of Brooklands Park is complete and the results are in.

Hundreds of people have had their say in a consultation to shape the future of the much-loved Brooklands Park in Worthing.

In a bid to turn the open space into a major asset for the community, Worthing Borough Council is working with consultants to create a masterplan for the attraction.

An online consultation into creating a management plan for the long-term revamp of Brooklands was launched in last month. And the response was amazing - with more than 800 people giving their views on how to improve the community asset.

Councillor Diane Guest, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Environment, said: “I'm so pleased that so many local residents took the time to take part in the online public consultation .This project has received so much positive community engagement and we are hoping to create a park that residents of Worthing can be proud of.”

Among the ideas suggested to improve the park, included:

·        A better cleaner modern cafe

·        Interesting walk trail

·        Swimming / paddling pool

·        Improved children’s play area

·        More native trees and flowers.

The survey also showed that the public were pleased to see the council were investing in the park, with many calling it “beautiful” or “nice”.

Scores of people said they hoped to see the open space modernised while some called for the boats to be brought back on the lake.

Of those who responded, more than two-thirds said they arrived by car while the annual visit length was between one and two hours.

A high percentage of visitors to the park were families with small children, the survey showed.

The main reason for a trip to Brooklands, according to the responses, was to use the play area or go for a walk. A quarter of visitors said they did not spend any money when using the park.

The results of the survey will now be used to develop a masterplan for the area. A series of options are being drawn up on how to revamp the area which will be presented for public consultation.

It comes as contractors continue to excavate the lake at the heart of the park, creating new areas for nature while restoring to restore it to its former glory.