Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) has called on the community to help shape the future of a popular Andover park, with the potential for expansion.

Andover Vision is carrying out a community consultation to learn more about the use of Vigo Recreation Ground, and review how the park can continue to serve the community in future. A survey is being hosted on TVBC’s website, ahead of workshops next week.

Councillor Phil North, leader of TVBC, said: “Thank you to everyone who has given their views on the future of Vigo Park.

“We’ve received over 400 responses so far via our online survey and other targeted consultations with clubs, schools, community groups and disability forums.

“Your feedback will help Test Valley Borough Council form a management plan for the park and possible additions to the site, taking advantage of the planned extension as part of the Andover Masterplan.”

The Vigo Recreation Ground, or Vigo Park as it is more commonly known, is a large grassed park, full of mature shrubs and leafy green trees. It also offers facilities such as a tennis court, children’s outdoor play area and is the home of the Andover Bowling Club.

Part of the park is formed of the Common Acre, a patch of land owned by the Andover Charities, and rented to the council for £5 a year. Deemed legally to have been a public space ‘since time immemorial’, the one acre strip of land was originally used for archery practice, and now forms part of the park itself.

Thanks to byelaws made in the 20th Century, anyone being “wilfully annoying” in the Common Acre can be fined – but not in the rest of the park.

Vigo Park itself has undergone many changes over the years, including the controversial demolition of a historic bandstand in the park. More may still be to come, and under the Andover Masterplan, changes to Vigo Roundabout have been proposed which would lead to the park being extended.

Andover Vision is now consulting on the future of the park, with a series of drop-in creative workshops will take place next week. Members of the public are encouraged to visit Vigo Recreation Ground on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 July at 10:30am- 12:30pm and 1:30pm- 3:30pm, where they can create collages from natural materials found in and around the park, make model Lego parks and enjoy taking part in scavenger hunts, while having their say on what they think should come next.

Feedback, comments and responses gathered from the survey and public events will be used to inform the future management of the space, to ensure it meets the needs of the local community.

To take part in the online survey, visit testvalley.gov.uk/vigosurvey2021.