Please remember these are ideas only, not work which is going ahead but nearly a topic of conversation!
Obviously we can’t add mountain ranges but we can make the best of what we have. Lots of people have different opinions regarding the lake and how to best use it, there is funding available and I think it needs to be used. The problem being is coming to an agreement and doing it. Some say regardless of objection we should be getting on with it? What are your thoughts.
Here are some of the ideas listed:
Fishing has the biggest potential the problem being the swans, the lake is able to support around 60 swans however not 100+ which is the current status (Read the article in reference to the swans here). This has an effect on the ecosystem of the lake. Too many swans eat the reeds, no reeds means no spawning area for the fish. This has also been the first year no swans have reproduced due to the population and not being able to mark territory. Prevention of feeding the swans should reduce the numbers and just normal children etc feeding the swans will support the amount of swans which is normal, not feeding them by the sack load.
The lake Island should be rebuilt with the addition of a second island providing spawning areas for fish, nesting areas for birds. Reeds will naturally re-grow with reduced population and provide a haven for fish. The lake should then be restocked with various types of fish.
The fishing points should be repaired.
The roadside shelf should be cleared of weed and create a pleasing look to the lake from the road side.
More frequent bins and next to the path side.
The smaller lake needs little work but should be used for fishing or people learning to fish.
The woodland areas cleaned up from rubbish and a woodland walk created, bird boxes added to the trees to encourage birds.
A skatepark added to the field at the bottom end of the lake behind the boat house away from residential areas, a place for older children to play.
A new boat house for the model boat club, cafe facilities and sitting area, this is a sheltered area of the lake so the provision of outside seating would work. A place to buy day tickets and restore the full use of the lake.
Security camera’s protecting the area, and discouraging children at night.
A Fence built around the small grassed area to prevent wildlife spoiling this area of grass.
The field backing on Hallington mews levelled and grass replanted. Where this field meets the lake a boulder area shelving into the lake or a gentle shelf area.
A path completing the full walk around the lake.
The residential side of the lake, the coping stones re-done creating an attractive edge to the lake. This is currently in progress.
This is just a small list which would make the lake more attractive, do you have any ideas? Please submit them using the form at the bottom of the page.
Residential areas tidied up, grassed areas trimmed back to original states.
When was the last time you saw stickleback in the lake? This is just another small fish effected by the change of the lakes ecosystem.
I would support all that has been suggested above.
I would like to see the fishing platforms removed as they are never used. These sort of platforms are more for fly fishing to enable the fisherman to reach further into the lake.
These platforms are in the way and never used. They should be removed but replaced with a flat square area on the edge of the lake to enable a fisherman to sit on the bank side on a flat surface.
I would also like to see about 3 or 4 pathways made up to these area’s to enable a wheel chair to get up to a fishing hard base where he/she could sit in their wheel chair and fish. Killingworth Lake is or should be the centre of life for Killingworth and should be used to its full capacity of events.