CONSULTANTS bidding to spend millions of pounds transforming Huddersfield's Greenhead Park meet with Kirklees Council next week to finalise ambitious plans.
Backers hoping to restore the park to its former glory say they have been inundated by public response to their ideas.
Since news broke of the proposed £2.3m upgrade of the Victorian grounds, scores of people have been in touch with the council to give their views on what they want to see included.
Clr Linda Wild, chairman of Kirklees Council's Huddersfield area committee, said: "There has been a really exciting response."
Created in 1893, the landscaped shrubbery and grassy banks are dotted with pretty but ill-kept features including fountains and statues.
There has been a lack of major investment for decades.
Specialist landscape consultants Bertram Hyde will meet the council next week to present their outline bid for Heritage Lottery funding.
The project hinges on scooping that cash.
New additions could include a boating lake, ice rink, an extension to the railway line and an Italian garden.
They would accompany large scale refurbishment to pathways and existing features.
All users will eventually have a chance to air their ideas on how to transform the park in an exhaustive public consultation.
"Members of the public have already been speaking to me in town to say how fantastic this is. I was a little surprised how excited people were," added Clr Wild.
Clr Wild said talk of the ambitious plans had sparked a real buzz around the town.
She commented: "It's the people's park. Hundreds of thousands of people go through there in a year."
The grassy slopes were packed this summer as families whiled away the hot sunny days.
The park is also the scene of pop and cultural festivals which attract thousands.
Work will begin as soon as Lottery cash is confirmed.
"This time next year, if we get the money, work will be under way," she said.
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