A charity preparing to reopen one of its community cafés has thanked a Dorset company for its “brilliant contribution”.
Thanks to support from Eco Sustainable Solutions, The Parks Foundation has been able to add and landscape a new accessibility ramp to the café at Alexandra Park in Poole.
It means those with wheelchairs, prams and buggies, or needing an easier walking surface, will be able to access the charity’s café and toilets via a landscaped walkway.
Other planned work includes new railings, café steps and the creation of sustainable drainage which will form a pond.
Parley-based Eco supplied The Parks Foundation with ten bags of compost and 12 bags of soil free of charge.
John Hanson, the charity’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “It’s been a brilliant contribution from Eco, enabling us to create a real community effort in building this ramp at Alexandra Park.
“Without the help of companies like Eco, it just wouldn’t have been possible.
“The ramp will provide easier access for local groups and care homes and allow us to be fully inclusive for all people across town to enjoy this lovely space.”
Bryony Hammond, Eco’s Marketing Executive, said: “We love to support projects like this which bring so much good to the local community.”
Alexandra Park Café is one of four community cafés operated by The Parks Foundation charity, selling drinks and light bites to those visiting the park.
Located in the refurbished pavilion building, the café is due to reopen once the new ramp is complete.
Alexandra Park is one of more than 20 parks across the BCP area that The Parks Foundation is improving, working with local residents to enhance the parks for people and for wildlife.
The improvements include planting bulbs, trees and hedging, adding seating or wildlife ponds, making bird and bat boxes, and adding community growing areas so that people can learn about and grow their own food.
The charity also runs a varied monthly programme of free-to-attend activities for all ages, including GreenFingers volunteer gardening groups which meet regularly to care for parks across the area.