A SERIES of proposals to come out of consultation into the future of Verulamium Park go under the spotlight next week. The first stages of a masterplan for the St Albans park are to be put before the district council s cabinet and include a variety of imp

A SERIES of proposals to come out of consultation into the future of Verulamium Park go under the spotlight next week.

The first stages of a masterplan for the St Albans park are to be put before the district council's cabinet and include a variety of improvements with the aim of separating the heritage and active aspects of the park.

The proposed changes were showcased in an exhibition late last year to find ways of promoting a better understanding of the park's Roman heritage and improve the River Ver and ornamental lakes.

The lottery-funded consultation is the first step in securing significant future funding for the park.

Local people, including a number of teenagers, were consulted on what changes and improvements they would like to see made in the park. The council received nearly 1,150 questionnaire responses as well as carrying out phone interviews, creating new web pages explaining the plan and putting up noticeboards and posters at the entrances to the park.

The masterplan proposes a variety of improvements but does not tackle the more controversial issues such as cycling in the park and work on the lakes which would be the subject of future reports.

The council hopes to move the current children's playground nearer the splash park to free up space so they can create an open stage area for future public events and art installations interpreting the Roman city. The cabinet will also be looking at constructing two new entrances.