A SOUTHAMPTON park that is currently being redeveloped was partly reopened this weekend.

Friends of Freemantle Lake Park in Freemantle have been working with their ward councillors during the last two years to develop plans and ideas with the council on how to improve the park.

On Saturday, the team saw a major step forward as the first phase of the development was reopened.

Charlotte Nduput, a Friends of Freemantle Lake Park committee member, explained how the park is often waterlogged making most of the area impossible for play.

The first phase of the development has new pathways being installed, linking up existing play equipment.

The group, made up of a number of local volunteers who give up their free time to help improve the park, said they were "excited" to opened up this stage of the development to the public.

Charlotte said: "It’s so amazing to see this phase of the project come to life, it’s really helped to motivate us to raise the funds needed for the new play equipment."

So far improvements have consisted of new signs fitted to all three entrances to the park, noticeboards installed and more recently, to have wildlife information and nursery rhyme boards added.

The park was opened at 2pm on Saturday by Councillor Steve Leggett.

The team of volunteers have also ran a number of events to encourage more people to use the space over the last two years, which have been highly successful and well attended.

To complete the next phase of the play park development, the Friends team are aiming to raise £10,000 for two pieces of additional play equipment.

Information on how to support the project can be found on the Friends of Freemantle Lake Park Facebook page.