THE final phase of the transformation of one of Bexley’s parks is now underway.

People from across the borough secured the £400,000 cash for Parish Wood Park in Blackfen, by lodging the largest number of votes in south-east London for Mayor Boris Johnson’s Help a London Park scheme last year.

The scheme aims to improve public access to the park and access to the River Shuttle, as well as new planting, signs, seating and paths and the creation of a wetland with a viewing area.

Work started on the first phase of the scheme last year with a new entrance into the park from Berwick Crescent.

During the spring and summer this year new fences and an improved children’s playground were installed with additional cash from the government’s Playbuilder scheme, The Big Lottery and the mayor’s Priority Parks Scheme.

Now the last phase of the work, funded largely from the £400,000 has begun.

The main part of the the work is the excavation of part of the park and the creation of the wetland area, which will not only provide a new wildlife habitat, but help drain the park in the winter.

With the wetland will come a new public viewing area for people to watch the new wildlife attracted to the park.

More trees and wild flower meadows will also be planted.

The River Shuttle will be routed through the park for the first time and there will be a new bridge across the river and improvements to the river banks.

One of the aims of the scheme is to stop the anti-social behaviour which was taking place in the park.

This included motorbike scrambling, out-of-control dogs and fly tipping.

The council hopes to invite Mr Johnson to open the finished park, next spring.