Project Groundwater, the River Chess Smarter Water Catchment programme and Chesham Town Council are working together to explore a range of sustainable drainage and nature-based solutions designed to tackle pollution entering the pond from nearby roads.
The organisations will host an outdoor community drop-in event at the Performance Area beside Skottowe’s Pond on July 9 from 4pm to 8pm.
Members of the public will be able to view maps and early proposals, speak with project representatives and provide feedback before detailed designs are prepared.
Skottowe’s Pond is one of the park’s most recognisable landmarks, but concerns have been raised about the impact of polluted surface water running off nearby roads, including Bellingdon Road and St Mary’s Way.
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Rainfall can carry sediment and other pollutants into the pond, affecting water quality and contributing to algal growth during warmer months.
Poor water quality can create challenges for aquatic wildlife and the wider ecosystem.
The pond also overflows towards the Vale Culvert, meaning sediment build-up and runoff could have indirect effects on the River Chess.
The project partners hope that reducing pollutants entering the pond could help improve conditions both within the pond and further downstream.
A number of possible measures are currently being considered.
These include treating or diverting road drainage before it reaches the pond, installing sustainable drainage features to trap sediment and pollutants, creating areas where water can soak naturally into the ground and directing some runoff into alternative drainage systems.
The project is also exploring ways to improve the wider pond environment, including potential upgrades to pathways, additional natural planting and new educational signage.
Partners stress that the proposals remain at an early stage and no final decisions have been made.
The options eventually taken forward will depend on a variety of factors, including available resources and the project’s timescale.
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Organisers say local knowledge will play an important role in shaping the plans. Residents who regularly use the park are being encouraged to share information about access, safety, wildlife, maintenance issues and how different parts of the area are used.
Feedback gathered during the event will be reviewed by the design team and used alongside technical assessments to inform the next stage of the project.
Those unable to attend can submit comments by emailing hello@projectgroundwater.co.uk.
A spokesperson for Chesham Town council said the event will allow attendees to see the early ideas for improving the pond, talk to the project team, tell us what you support and what concerns you and share what you know about the park, its paths, wildlife and how it’s used.
They added: “You don’t need any technical knowledge to take part.
“The ideas are still at an early stage, so your views can help shape them.
“If it’s raining, we’ll move to Chesham Town Hall, HP5 1DS.”