THE caf in York's Rowntree Park has opened again to the public for the first time in more than a decade.

The reopening marks the completion of the first stage of a major restoration and refurbishment project at the riverside park.

Work to repair the lake and improve drainage has also finished, with some areas which have been re-seeded now out-of-bounds until the spring to allow the new grass to grow.

The caf is being run by Susan Potter and her husband Keith from Acomb, who have been running catering businesses in York for more than 12 years.

City of York Council says the caf in the park lodge will offer a limited service this year as customers' preferences are assessed.

Opening hours are 10am to 4pm on weekends, and from 10 am to 2pm from Tuesday to Friday. "Next year will see longer opening hours and a wider choice of food and drink," said a spokesman.

The second stage of the lottery-funded park refurbishment scheme has now begun with the felling of 75 of the park's 790 trees and refurbishment of the main toilets.

The council says trees due for the chop are either in poor health, too close to other trees or need to be removed to allow for the reinstatement of lost features. And more than 140 trees will be planted next year.

The main landscaping scheme, including the installation of lost water features, new footpaths, a play area and an events space, will begin next spring and continue until December 2002.

Updated: 08:19 Thursday, September 27, 2001