Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Dorchester’s public parks and open spaces could look rather different in years to come as the town council’s gardening staff respond to drought conditions.
Town councillors have praised the outdoor team for keeping things going this year despite difficult conditions but say that planting might have to change in future years to cope with the changing climate.
The council team has been helped by the authority having its own boreholes after a decision to invest in them a couple of years ago, with almost unlimited water supplies available at both the Borough Gardens and the Weymouth Avenue recreation ground.
Assistant town clerk in charge of outdoor services Carl Dallison has told a town council management committee that more drought-resistant species were already being considered for some flower beds, along with ways of storing water from the borehole in the Borough Gardens.
He also said that a structure to provide shade from the sun is being considered for the Gardens.
The meeting was told that drought-resistant plants were already planned for the large planter boxes in South Street, with the existing vegetation to be largely removed because it needed frequent watering to avoid wilting.
Councillors will be informed in future when wildfire risks are in place at the council’s open spaces, as they were this year, notably at Poundbury Great Field.
