The Friends Woodland Garden.
The Friends Woodland Garden is the Woodland Area situated between Clensmore Park and the Stack Pool. The area was first owned by Samuel Parkes the developer of the houses in Lyndhurst Drive and Milldale Close. Wyre Forest District Council have allowed the Friends of Springfield Park to develop this area as their own. We initially started clearing undergrowth and litter over the Woodland Tidy Weekend held the 25th and 26th June 2011 and have since met to further the removal of undergrowth which is collected by WFDC during the following weeks.
To support this project we have recived BIG Local Lottery Funding to purchase tools, bulbs and plants. The aim is to provide a natural habit for plants and wildlife for all to enjoy. We are creating a new path in the Woodland Garden to join the existing cycle path at both ends. The aim for the remainder of this year is to clear shrub and undergrowth to the right of this path, the area that is adjacent to the bungalows in Lyndhurst Drive. The council will then spray to prevent new growth so that this area is ready for planting in the Spring. BIG Local Lottery Funding will be used to purchase wild rose bushes to act as a privacy thicket behind the bungalows and woodland bulbs native to England. We hope to also enhance the area near Milldale Close Gate and the Stackpool as a small wild meadow.
Tools were purchased with a discount, which was very much appreciated from John Beards Tools & Ironmongery in Bridge Street, Kidderminster.
To support this project we have recived BIG Local Lottery Funding to purchase tools, bulbs and plants. The aim is to provide a natural habit for plants and wildlife for all to enjoy. We are creating a new path in the Woodland Garden to join the existing cycle path at both ends. The aim for the remainder of this year is to clear shrub and undergrowth to the right of this path, the area that is adjacent to the bungalows in Lyndhurst Drive. The council will then spray to prevent new growth so that this area is ready for planting in the Spring. BIG Local Lottery Funding will be used to purchase wild rose bushes to act as a privacy thicket behind the bungalows and woodland bulbs native to England. We hope to also enhance the area near Milldale Close Gate and the Stackpool as a small wild meadow.
Tools were purchased with a discount, which was very much appreciated from John Beards Tools & Ironmongery in Bridge Street, Kidderminster.
A plan of the Friends Woodland Garden and information on the Zones.
Some members of FoSp meet on a weekly basis to work in the Friends Woodland Garden. The Woodland Garden has been divided into different zones for different types of natie bulbs and plants to be re established. Please click on this link for further information.
The Friends Woodland Garden - Progress in Pictures.
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Above is a man-made insect retreat, may even encourage some bees to nest next year. Bees are vital pollinators, without pollinators we would be without flowers, like the camomile (left) and the corn marigold (right). If you would like to know more about bees you can click on this link http://bumblebeeconservation.org/ |
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The chimney can now be seen from the Woodland Garden
Trees to be seen
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Areas cleared for bulb planting |
New trees have been planted, and odd bricks left to provide areas for insects to reside
Still left some wild areas for diversity
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Some very dedicated members of FoSP, who litter pick daily, and meet weekly to manage and enhance the woodland.
Spring 2012 a new 'canvas' to work with, with most of the undergrowth removed. The garden has now been sectioned off into beds with the hope of improving the bio diversity.
Spring 2012 A Transformation most defiantly
Above - are some images taken from one of the many evening sessions, the clearing of the the undergrowth. midges were a plenty too.
Below - Clearing in the heat.....but you can now see some of the trees
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The Friends Woodland Garden started off in a corner of Springfield Park, that was very overgrown, and very forgotten. Saplings had been planted a few years back, but the undergrowth had not been managed. As a consequence the saplings were being strangled by Willow Herb, Brambles, and Nettles to mention a few. FoSP, on a very hot weekend in June 2011, organised one of the first tidy days. As you can see in images below how the area once looked.
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