Work Starts on the People's Millions Yeovil Country Park Project 

 The "Wildlife on the Edge" project – put forward by South Somerset District Council's Countryside team in a bid to protect the lake's wildlife – won £80,000 from the Big Lottery fund last November and the project is now all set to go.
The planned set of improvements include a new dog-free zone around a section of the lake, an all-access path for wheelchairs and pushchairs, a wildlife trail with information boards about the local nature and wildlife and a pond-dipping platform allowing closer access to the water's edge.

Rachael Lappage, South Somerset District Council Countryside Ranger said, "We knew there was a need to protect the precious wildfowl around the lake area and we wanted to do something about it. The new natural fencing will make a real difference to the security of the wildlife in the lake.

"The work has come at the right time as our swan has just hatched eight cygnets who are getting on very well in the water."
The lake's ducks, swans and cygnets have fallen victim to a number of dog attacks over the last few years so work on the new zone was considered a priority.

Rachael added, "We have also started widening of the path around the lake and we will be creating a fantastic all-access path suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The work is due to finish at the end of June but in the meantime we're hoping to keep disruption to the pathways to a minimum."

The water platform, nature trail, lake environment improvements and the education pack are expected to be completed this winter.
Cllr Sylvia Seal, South Somerset's Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Wellbeing says, "The funding has been a huge boost to what is already an award-winning asset to our entire district. The improvements will benefit the people who use it and the wildlife that settles there, and we are also planning more free community events that will bring us all together. Thank you again to everyone that voted and we hope you enjoy the improvements."

Visit the Country Park Fayre this May Bank Holiday