Newark and Sherwood District Council working on planting and environmental projects at parks during winter

A number of planting projects are underway to help protect and enhance the district’s parks.

Newark and Sherwood District Council’s environmental team is hard at work this winter to deliver a range of projects to protect, maintain and enhance the district’s biodiversity and landscapes.

Newark and Sherwood is home to a large and diverse number of habitats and species, and the council is aiming to improve and support these over the winter.

Emma Oldham, portfolio holder for biodiversity and environmental services, said: "While we typically associate spring with blossoming and things starting to come to life again, winter is a pivotal time for safeguarding, maintaining and enhancing our ecosystems. This ensures their resilience during the colder months and primes them to thrive when the weather warms up.

“Witnessing these initiatives in their early stages is truly exciting. Although the sites may not appear complete yet, the groundwork being laid is essential for these locations to reach their prime in the upcoming spring and summer months. I eagerly anticipate the positive impact they will undoubtedly have as we progress forward.”

The programme of winter works include the creation of an orchard at Sconce and Devon Park.

Work has already begun on the restoration of the historic orchard at the Green Flag Award-winning park and the first stages of the work have seen the site cleared of diseased trees and invasive species.

Later this month, the planting of native fruit trees will begin.

Park Rangers and volunteers have also created new pathways for visitors to explore the park, adding to the new pathways created in June, which have been key in keeping access across the park during recent flooding.

Later this month work will also begin to create a native wildflower walk at Vicar Water Country Park, with pathways through the meadow to include living willow tunnels, bee posts and planters. New trees are also set to be planted to create more diversity within the area.

A memorial rose garden with surrounding seating to allow for peaceful reflection and a place to remember loved ones is also being developed at the park.

“This is a really exciting project as we’re combining play opportunities for children and peaceful well-being areas for residents with biodiversity-boosting planting. A win-win for people and wildlife,” added Emma Oldham.

The Three Rivers Project is also underway at Vicar Water Country Park.

In December, the council began working with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust on the Severn Trent funded scheme.

As part of the project, the environmental team have been working to improve the health and flow of the water through the river at the park, which also supports the council’s recent commitment to revive the health of waterways and, by extension, oceans through the Motion for the Ocean initiative.

Emma Oldham said: “We are as committed as ever to creating welcoming, accessible parks and green spaces across our district, with recent improvements such as our £350,000 investment into play parks, the reinvigoration of Sherwood Avenue Park and improvements to pathways. These winter works are a great way to kick start a greener and wilder 2024 for Newark and Sherwood.”