CIVIC chiefs are considering major changes at Winchester's main park.

The city council is mooting ideas for North Walls park such as a sculpture tower to be a new visitor attraction just north of the bowling green next to the River Itchen. It could include a helter skelter or climbing wall.

The Park Avenue entrance would be revamped with an outdoor area for events, seating, drinking fountain, water fountain for play toilets and possible cafe or mobile coffee van.

It would mean the paving over of the current lawn between the bowling green and Park Avenue.

More would be made of the entrance from Park Avenue with possibly an arch or a totem pole.

A public consultation on the future of North Walls Recreation Ground in Winchester has been launched.

Residents are being asked their views on the plans prepared by a team of consultants, which sets out a number of ideas for improvements.

The consultation is open until Friday June 11. To view the Park Plan proposals and access the survey go to the city council's website.

They are also offering a virtual question and answer session with the park designers, and a link to book a place can be found on the webpage.

City of Winchester Trust has a number of concerns about the proposals and a spokesperson said it will be making a "robust response".

The city council says the existing sports pitches would be retained and biodiversity of the park would be improved.

A Friends of the Park organisation would be established to enhance and develop partnerships going forward.

The council website says: "Great parks are made up of great places, with a diverse combination of things to do throughout the day & throughout all seasons. North Walls will be a great park loved by a great city community, with all the things one would want from a modern park - function & beauty, activity & quiet, exploration & play,

landmarks & river context, sustainability, & things that are unified yet diverse.

"We are considering the Park as a series of diverse & complementary outdoor rooms which would form the basis for providing a whole host of focused activities, events & environments. An environmentally sustainable Park will enable people to live active & healthy lifestyles, with biodiverse green spaces, learning & play, a clean river, a network of walking & cycle paths & recycling

initiatives.

"A new sculptural observation tower could be the Park’s newest landmark. Sited towards the centre & offering spectacular views, it has the potential to become a symbol of improvements."

There would be a new bridge, improved paths, and the repainting of Banana Bridge yellow.

At the northern end of the park a new park canopy / solar powered shade structure could be built "for enhancing the green space, creating a comfortable and cool space, and reducing the Park’s energy footprint."