Norwich families are being urged to come forward with ideas to transform one of the city's best-loved parks to make it a better place to play for children and youngsters.

City council officers will hold an event in Chapelfield Gardens on Saturday to help shape improvements to the children's area.

Work is also being done with the friends group, the businesses in the park, youth groups and schools to help get the views of local people.

Currently there is a toddler and juniors' play area with games of petanque and giant chess and drafts.

The gardens are also a popular venue, particularly in the summer, when there are events including bandstand concerts, and an annual music festival and funfair.

And now there is chance to give the park a facelift using �191,566 of contributions from developers to the council's executive. Firms are required to invest in community facilities as part of their permission to build new developments.

While the money is to be used to improve spaces for children and young people, the gardens are also important for a wide variety of people and activities and the council is keen to make sure that a wide range of views are considered.

Since it first opened to the public in 1880, Chapelfield Gardens has become a popular meeting place for thousands of people across Norwich and beyond.

Following a further round of consultations on plans for the park next year, the council hopes to start work in 2012.

The authority also stressed that the mature trees in the gardens and its historic nature will also be safeguarded.

Julie Brociek-Coulton, cabinet member for neighbourhoods – north and east, said: 'Chapelfield Gardens is one of the city's most well known parks and is enjoyed by so many people.

'It is very important to us that people who use and love the gardens have their say on what improvements they would like to see.'

Graeme Gee, Green councillor for Mancroft ward, which includes Chapelfield Gardens, said: 'Chapelfield has always been very important as one of the green spaces within the city centre, but it does look a bit tired and looks like it could do with upgrading.'

The event will take place between 10am and 4pm and council officers from the neighbourhood, landscape and parks and open spaces teams will be gathering information on what people use the gardens for and seeking views on what they think could be improved.

The information gathered will be used to draw up plans which local people will be consulted on before any final decisions on improvements are made.

The council is still keen to hear from people who cannot make the event. Get in touch by October 9 by calling Jeff on 01603 212496 or emailing jeffcompton@norwich.gov.uk

How would you improve Chapelfied Gardens? Write to Evening News Letters at Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE or email eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk