Published on Monday 13 January 2020
Upton Country Park are thrilled to announce their application for National Lottery funding has been granted – securing £1.9m of vital funding.
Thanks to money raised by National Lottery the grant has been awarded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund. One of the core beliefs at Upton Country Park is that by giving people the opportunity to understand, value and share Poole’s rich heritage we can bring our local communities and people together.
Now as we enter the ‘delivery’ phase, visitors can see many of the outlined plans gaining pace. These include work commencing on the vital repairs to infrastructure, the introduction of volunteer facilities and a new welcome centre which will allow visitors to learn about the rich and varied heritage of Upton Country Park.
The project will also re-create the historical pleasure grounds by reinstating historical pathways to link Upton House to the wider grounds and opening up three vistas that have been lost over time, to provide views down to the shoreline and across Holes Bay Nature Park.
We’ll also be introducing a brand new and a wide-reaching activity programme, working closely with local schools and educational providers to bring school visits and learning opportunities back to the park.
Cllr Lewis Allison, Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure, BCP Council said:
"We are extremely excited about the opportunities this funding presents to Upton Country Park, ensuring not just its survival but superb natural new features for future generations to enjoy.
The opportunities for local people and visitors to learn about this historically important estate are incredible and I look forward immensely to seeing work begin on the new Welcome Centre and Volunteer Facility"
Stuart McLeod, Director London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:
"Parks are an incredibly important part of community life and vital spaces for wildlife. Since 1994 more than £950million has been raised by National Lottery players for public parks and cemeteries and we are delighted that the future of Upton County Park is part of that story."
Find out more about the plans on the Upton Country Park discovery page.