Work to breathe new life into one of Perth’s most popular parks is set to begin.
Plans to regenerate the South Inch have been drawn up by Perth and Kinross Council, with officials claiming it will revitalise the park.
A spokesman said, “The aim is to provide a high quality facility for leisure and recreation that enhances quality of life and adds to Perth’s appeal to tourists.
“The first phase of improvements will cover the revamp of the boating pond.”
A raft of other improvements are also planned, although the extent of works carried out will be subject to the availability of funding.
The spokesman said, “Proposals include a new play area, improved entrances, paths, seating and litter bins, and enhancing the appearance of the park’s landscape.”
The boating pond work, set to be carried out by WaterGems (Alba) Ltd of South Queensferry, will see it modernised and developed into “an attractive educational resource,” with improved water quality and greater biodiversity value.
The spokesman said, “To achieve this, the pond will be temporarily drained and the silt from it used to create planting beds that will be filled with native aquatic plants such as flag iris and purple loosestrife.
“While the pond is dry, a boardwalk will be built so that anyone visiting the park can walk out across the water between the plants.
“There will also be a viewing platform and a raised area for the ducks.”
He added, “The new plants will provide plenty of cover for the birds and allow them to nest and breed successfully, and will also improve water quality by absorbing some of the nutrients that cause natural but unsightly algae blooms.”
Any fish in the pond will be kept in large tanks until they can be returned. It is expected the ducks will find other places nearby to feed while the work is carried out.
The work is expected to take around three months and the pond will be fenced off.