During lock down and throughout the pandemic, many of us have realised just how important it is to have parks and green spaces in Urban areas. They provide a haven of peace and tranquillity and a break from our busy lives. They allow our children a place to play and enjoy a sense of freedom and adventure. They enable us a space for us to connect with nature which can be both life affirming and reassuring when times are difficult. A number of local residents have mentioned to me that until this year they had never fully realised how much Scholes Park offers all of this and more to them.

In 2004 a survey of the park’s natural habitat arrived at some interesting findings and a variety of trees and flowers can be found within the wooded areas of the park including mature English Oak trees dating from the 18th century, lesser Hawthorn, Blackthorn Holly and seasonal woodland flowers such as bluebells and crocuses. The small seasonal ponds are populated with frogspawn, rushes and Irises and various woodland birds in the Spring. Whilst the remnants of the garden of Gatley Hill House contain rare Black Poplar trees, Pines, Cypresses, Cedars and a Monkey Puzzle Tree. The Friends group have recently learned that an orchard once stood in the park and is shown on historical maps of the area. Whilst local residents have informed us that the park is a great haven for bats!

The Friends group would love to ensure that the park remains a sanctuary in our busy village. We hope to obtain funds to create a family wildlife trail in the forest area which will enable families to enjoy, explore and learn about nature in fun, playful and active ways. Bird and bat boxes and bug hotels will encourage local wildlife to flourish in the area and could allow us to organise community nature activities. It would be great to recreate the orchard as a community resource for individuals, schools and voluntary groups to gain access to locally grown organic food. We would love to develop the paths and allow more flowers and plants to flourish and bring more colour and interest to the park.

If you are interested in helping us to make these things happen for you and the community. Get in touch!