Work at a new £25,000 pocket park has been completed at Redwood Crescent in Beeston, in partnership with the Redwood Crescent Association.
On 20th December, 18 local residents worked together, spaced apart, to plant 40 trees in the park, to improve biodiversity and attract local wildlife.
Thanks to a successful bid for Central Government Pocket Park funding, along with a contribution from Broxtowe Borough Council and the Redwood Crescent Association, the Pocket Park was created in early 2020 on land at Redwood Crescent in Beeston. Assistance was also provided by Futures Homes who developed the adjacent garage sites into social housing.
Working in partnership, the Association and Broxtowe Borough Council created this safe open space, accessible to all residents, as sustainably as possible, which is intended to improve biodiversity.
Bob Pitchfork, spokesperson for the Redwood Group said:
“As a community we are grateful to Broxtowe Borough Council for their help and support in securing the green space for the residents and their guidance in applying for the joint funding from national government.
A special thank you to Ruth Hyde for advising us about the possibility of securing a grant and the advice and help from Chris Riley and his team in the designing of the green space as well giving us advice on what would be the best trees and shrubs to plant for the future.”
Councillor Helen Skinner from Broxtowe Borough Council said:
“Green spaces like this are so valuable to the local community, offering a place for people to enjoy the outdoors, notice nature and have some downtime. By creating this pocket park and other parks across Broxtowe, we are enhancing our area and encouraging local wildlife to come into these spaces. The green credentials are also great for the environment and show how much we consider the impact of what we create, when looking at each project. I hope local residents enjoy this lovely space”.
There are many benefits to the community which area already being well used by residents. There is a diagonal path which was made wide enough for a wheelchair and pedestrian to pass, with an anti-slip surface and self-closing gates at each entrance. The path is porous, avoiding the need for drainage and the gates open inwards to prevent children or pets leaving the park straight onto the road.
Solar-powered lighting illuminates the path once daylight fades, keeping the park safe with clean, green energy. Two benches provide a place to rest, socialise and enjoy surroundings. The seats have also been declared “happy benches” by the Association, where people are invited to sit and say hello to a stranger.
The open space comprises 65% mowed grass to provide areas for informal recreation and community use, with the remaining area being wildflower grassland to provide habitat and nectar for bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects. These trees will add additional biodiversity benefits by creating more habitats to invite native wildlife to the area. The trees will also provide fruit for birds and a Christmas tree which families have decorated, for other residents to enjoy.
The Redwood Crescent Association have an on-going planting programme, with native species chosen to provide both seasonal interest and biodiversity benefits. More planting will take place in 2021, to further enhance the land and surrounding area.