Yes it does. Lovely park

Yes It is, depends on a day but generally its quite busy

Unfortunately not, but there are tennis courts, and a large field area, with space for sports activities

not quite sure, sorry

Yes, not sure if and where you get a permit from tho.

Don't think this would be allowed

If you enter from the Main Road Gates and walk along the path with the lake on your left you should follow the path round as it seems to move through trees and slightly away then from the lake with its resident ducks. If you don't move off the journey along the path it leads naturally to discover on your left a lecturn with information on the author Nick Butterworth adjacent to what initially seems a small area providing seating and displaying carved wooden figures of his character, Percy the park-keeper with his wooden wheelbarrow. It isn't very far from the Main Road entrance but you will find that you might enjoy a quiet few minutes sitting on a bench enroute, watching the squirrels, birds and ducks which is incredibly relaxing. Please don't be tempted to give wildlife bread as it is extremely bad for their digestion. Milli's cafe which is a walk further along the path by the grassed areas,football pitch and near the childrens' play area, sells small bags of wildlife food - or even do your own research on line before visiting the park as to what food is appropriate for squirrels, birds and ducks - children would really enjoy this extra activity and don't forget to bring along some plain paper drawing books and pencils or crayons to draw a few of the animals you see. Even if the little ones can't themselves manage this activity they will enjoy watching you or evening colouring in your sketches. Your local library will hold some of Nick Butterworth's charming stories for you to read to young members of the family before and after your visit; the grey squirrels (equally as charming , agile and cheeky as their red squirrel cousins) are delightfully friendly and if you sit quietly with a bag of suitable edible treats they will jump up to within centimetres of visitors, even accepting a morsel or two offered, carefully, by hand. Remember these are wildlife, though. Overall this is a lovely natural environment which makes you feel quite humbled by seeing some of the areas nature first-hand. Enjoy and respect the park.

Not a fisherman myself but just to answer the question there is no charge to fish but you must have a valid rod licence. There have been no reports of thefts of equipment or ASB etc for years now there is a parks police office nearby on site. Probably best to avoid early Saturday morning fishing due to weekly fun run along the promenade with large numbers running.No night fishing allowed on site and those using the lake are expected to act responsibly apart from that an excellent place to fish with some very large carp for the catching ( and putting back of course 🙂