A section of Spiceball Park in Banbury is being turned into a wetland nature reserve as part of a scheme to prevent flooding at the new Spiceball Sports Centre.
Part of the park is being lowered to act as a flood plain in the event of more storms similar to last year's.
The scheme, agreed with the Environment Agency and Banbury Town Council, involves the removal of 4,000 cubic metres of soil.
The area will then be sown with grass and wild flowers - and a small wetland area linking to the River Cherwell will be developed.
The new leisure centre will be built during the next 18 months on the opposite side of the river to the existing sports centre.
Chris Rothwell, head of urban and rural services at Cherwell District Council, said: "Disruption over the next two to three months is regrettable, but necessary.
"A temporary track has been laid across the park. Fencing will separate the work area from the rest of the park."
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