AN exciting new project to boost the profile of Okehampton?s historic Old Town Park is due to be launched at a special event at the town?s ancient castle next month.

In addition to the stunning floral display and free entry to Okehampton Castle on English Heritage?s Bluebell Sunday, visitors will be able to see preliminary work completed by the newly formed Old Town Park Partnership ? and get involved with the future running of the area.

Jim White, woodlands project officer with South West Forest, is a member of the partnership.

He said the Old Town Park, just across the river from Okehampton Castle, was a precious resource which had great potential.

?Originally it would have been part of the castle and was a deer park in its heyday. The area has so much potential for learning, not just for schools but for lifelong learning.

?There?s industrial archaeology there, there?s the old swimming pool, which for many residents in Okehampton is within memory,? said Mr White.

?We see Bluebell Sunday as an opportunity to showcase the castle and the park and help make stronger links between the two.

?It gives us a chance to find out what people think, gauge people?s own ideas and opinions and show people the work of the partnership so far.?

Mr White said the partnership involved a wide variety of local organisations, including the borough council, which owns the site, Dartmoor National Park Authority, the Okement Rivers Improvement Group, WestDEN, English Heritage, Okehampton Town Council and Sticklepath and Okehampton Conservation Group.

?We are working to make sure there is a sustainable management plan for the site, which could include getting local nature reserve status,? said Mr White.

Work already carried out by the partnership includes a survey of the trees in the park, a survey of lichens and a historical study. The park is home to a variety of bats and butterflies and other flora and fauna.

Cllr Ken Williams, a borough member for Okehampton, said the new partnership was a ?very positive venture to enhance the ecological well-being of a beautiful area?.

He said: ?It?s a valuable habitat and it can be improved further by the various surveys that are being carried out there at the moment.?

Cllr Christine Marsh, mayor of Okehampton, said: ? This is an exciting project and a very broad partnership.

?It?s vital to protect one of the green corridors into the town, bearing in mind encroaching development. It?s important to keep and enhance this beautiful area for the enjoyment of everybody in the town, and to promote it as an important resource for learning and relaxation.?

Cllr Marsh said one of the ideas being considered by the partnership included levelling out an area of land by the river, to enable people to picnic and children to paddle.

She urged people to go to the Castle on Bluebell Sunday, May 9, enjoy the flowers and let the partnership know about their ideas and memories concerning the Old Park area.

During the day there will be a series of free guided walks celebrating the historical and natural value of Old Town Park.

Residents are being encouraged to share stories and anecdotes and bring along old photographs, maps, postcards and pictures of the park which will be put on display.

There will be a display detailing the work, aims and members of the Old Town Park Partnership and members of the public will be encouraged to put their mark on an enlarged map of the site, highlighting particular concerns or features they feel strongly about.

Throughout the day, drinks and ice creams will be available at the English Heritage kiosk and members of Okehampton Lions Club will sell locally produced burgers and sausages to raise funds for local charities. The event runs between 10am and 5pm.