Evaluating Pool Park Life
Poole Park is as much a bluespace as it is a greenspace as its central feature is a large Victorian boating lake. This park, much loved by local people has been in need of some TLC for a while, so a successful £2.7 million NLHF bid provided the opportunity to undertake a range of facility and environmental improvements.
R4C was engaged by BCP Council to provide an evaluation framework, to guide monitoring data collection and to undertake the final evaluation.
The evaluation included a mixture of capital works designed to improve public access and the wildlife potential of the site as well as an extensive engagement programme for volunteers, the local community, and young people. We reviewed data, undertook interviews, ran consultation stalls in the park and held workshops with park users. All this produced a rich source of data to inform the final evaluation report.