VISITORS to Poole Park have criticised parking regulations at the area around the water fountain.

Residents have told the Echo they are concerned with the current set-up which allows Poole Park Bowls Club to control parking in the area.

This area around the fountain, which used to be chained off, also used to be used by the bowling club.

But now, it is accessible for general parking – other than on match days.

Stuart Reeve, a regular visitor to Poole Park, said: "The problem is we have lost a number of spaces with the new layout on the road into the park.

"This has been causing problems, certainly a number of arguments when people are trying to park."

Another critic of the arrangement said: "This has caused uproar with Poole Hospital, all business in the park and has led to fighting and police called

"They are not using this parking.

"All business in the park are suffering

"The park is the people’s park and does not belong to the council."

The Poole Park Life project has been using the Parks for People restoration programme grant since 2017 to improve Poole Park – work which is nearing completion.

Council officials say a series of celebratory events and activities will conclude the project later in the summer.

On the fountain parking issue, BCP Council environment portfolio holder Cllr Mark Anderson said: "Following significant investment by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Poole Park has seen a range of improvements and over the last year these have focussed on the access theme, improving the park experience for pedestrians and cyclists as well as making the vehicle provision clearer.

“We have recently completed these changes which includes the area around the water fountain opened up to public parking, where previously this was chained off and inaccessible for the public.

“Beyond the water fountain an arrangement with the Poole Park Bowls Club is in place whereby they can control parking on match days, and at all other times this space should be available for all park users, with a new parking arrangement and surfacing helping to protect the mature horse chestnut trees.

“This revised arrangement with the Bowls Club and other park concessionaires is still very similar to what was agreed before the works took place and we continue to work with the concessions to try and meet all their needs wherever possible.”