Work is starting on the first stage of South Gloucestershire Council’s landscaping programme for Kingswood Park, which will involve major accessibility and biodiversity improvements.
This forms part of The National Lottery Heritage Fund award, granted to improve accessibility and enhance the site for local wildlife in the park. The work includes laying a new stone path as well as major tree landscaping work, with the public invited to help create a new green wildlife corridor.
Over the winter work will begin onsite to create the missing section of a circular route around the park. The new 150 metre section will be laid between Orchard Road and Edward Road using local limestone. The stone has been selected as a more environmentally friendly option compared to standard asphalt as it allows air to reach the roots of trees.
As the area near the path includes mature lime trees, the council will be using no dig construction techniques to protect the sensitive environment and root systems of the trees.
The tree landscaping work will involve the removal of 70 metres of Leylandii trees and replacing them with native hedgerow which will provide a much better source of food and shelter for wildlife, including hedgehogs, birds and small mammals. The Leylandii trees were planted originally as a screen but provide little benefit to wildlife compared to a native hedgerow. The felled timber will be put to good use, with the timber used to make path edges for the nature reserve area. The bark chippings will be used to create this new path and used to mulch the newly planted hedgerow. The timber will also be used to make a dead hedge along the park boundary providing a new habitat that will benefit insects and birds. Once established the new hedgerow will have greater amenity value.
Local people are invited to help create this exciting wildlife habitat with a ‘hedgerow heroes’ planting day on Saturday 7 December, 10.30am to 2.30pm as part of National Tree Week 2024.
The next phase of the council’s wider work programme will begin in spring next year and will include revamping the amphitheater with new seating and performance area, as well as the building of a new accessible toilet block, creating more accessible paths and extending the play area.
An exciting programme of health, wellbeing and other community activities in the park will continue to run alongside these physical improvements.
Councillor Sean Rhodes, cabinet member responsible for communities at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see this physical work beginning in Kingswood Park. I have spoken to so many local residents who are excited to see the Park regenerated and restored to its former glory.
“I’m especially pleased to see the opportunities for the public to be involved in some of the planting projects and to have a hand in the improvements. As well as delivering a huge benefit to our individual wellbeing and happiness, beautiful and accessible parks and green spaces also create a welcoming focal point for bringing our communities together.
“The park is just one of the many exciting programmes of investment happening in Kingswood over the coming months that will transform the area and community.”
This three-year project is an important piece of South Gloucestershire Council’s wider programme of investment in Kingswood. More info is available on the council’s website here https://kingswoodparkimprovements.commonplace.is/
