AMBITIOUS plans to revitalise Worcester's parks have moved a step closer after the revised proposals were drawn up following input from the public.

More than 600 people took part in two consultation exercises in March and August before consultants finalised plans to improve the city's riverside green spaces.

Worcester City Council is set to endorse the £9.1m recommendations by Plincke Ltd at a cabinet meeting tomorrow.

People power has had the biggest impact on proposals to include a skate park in an extension to Gheluvelt Park, Barbourne. Petitions drawn up by around 50 residents living in Waterworks Road and Tower Road have forced the skater venue to be wiped from the plans.

Residents of the city have also offered names for a new park that could be built in place of the Croft Road lorry park. Sabrina Park proved favourite ahead of other suggestions including Worcester Central Park, Hafren Park and, in a more grisly vein, Abattoir Park.

Once the proposals are accepted, a Lottery bid will be submitted to fund improvements to Gheluvelt Park, and Cripplegate Park, and the introduction of a riverside walks scheme, with work expected to start in February 2006.

The funding would pay for enhanced sports facilities - including tennis court resurfacing - as well as redesigned children's play areas and restoration of pathways and planting in both parks. In Gheluvelt Park, the Sons of Rest Pavilion would be given a facelift and a new bridge built over Barbourne Brook.

Other non-Lottery-funded ideas include proposals to re-locate the Swan Theatre, reducing the size of Hylton Road to enlarge Cripplegate Park and linking Pitchcroft to Gheluvelt Park. However, these are subject to change by council officers.

"Tomorrow's meeting is the first opportunity for the cabinet to comment on these plans and maybe give some direction," said the council's deputy leader Councillor Simon Geraghty.

"I have to say there are some realistic options and some 'blue-sky thinking'. Given the council's economic situation, some of these are unlikely to come to fruition. I think the Swan idea is one of them, as is the possible narrowing of Hylton Road."