Splash park plans for Colchester Castle Park

The plans could also see mini-golf added to Castle Park in a bid to draw more people into the town.

Colchester Council, which owns the park, has also set aside more than £100,000 to carry out its own improvements and is asking private operators to come forward with business proposals to run a "high quality" leisure facility in the park.

The mini golf - mooted for disused bowling greens in lower Castle Park - could be open in time for next summer while any splash park plans - which could take over the pedal boat pond in lower Castle Park - are likely to longer.

The splash park at Maldon's Prom Park

Council leader Paul Smith (Lib Dem) said: "What we want is to create family-friendly attractions on what is the jewel in Colchester's crown.

"Certainly mini-golf and a splash park would do that but we are also looking to invest more in the general park area as well."

Mr Smith would not be drawn on the exact figure but said the council cash set aside is likely to be "upwards of £100,000" and will be revealed at a meeting of the authority's ruling cabinet next month.

A disused bowling green could become a mini-golf game

That money is likely to be used to improve toilets in the park and upgrade breaking paths.

There have been previous calls for a splash park to be added to the beauty spot, akin to the popular attraction in Maldon's Promenade Park.

Mr Smith added: "It is something we are looking at - it would certainly be a positive.

"The area that would have to be is the duck pond - where there is already drainage and people know it as water attraction.

"Some people are very fond of the boating lake, though, so we would have to carefully consider whether we perhaps move that facility elsewhere to make room for the splash park or whether it would disappear altogether."

The leader also admitted senior councillors had initially sought to make a big screen which is set up in upper Castle Park during the Wimbledon fortnight a more permanent feature.

But they decided the project would be too weather dependent. However, plans are still on the table to extend its use in the summer months.

The Standard can reveal the plans after a formal tender invitation was sent out to private operators, relating specifically to the bowling green for a period of about 25 years.

The tender, posted on leisureopportunities.co.uk, states: "In return for capital investment and the development of new facilities at these locations in the park, we are offering the opportunity for a long-term business arrangement and the chance to establish a business in a prime location at the heart of Colchester, becoming a major contributor to the growth and continuing success story of this popular and unique park.

"We are keen to hear from established operators but also wish to engage with new and innovative providers with proposals which are creative, unique and locally based."

The tender request states about one million people visit Castle Park every year.

Bids must be submitted to the council no later than November 15 and a final decision would be issued in March next year.

Bidders will have the chance to view the sites throughout October.