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Dereliction and Redevelopment
Park projects
Since the Country Park was opened many projects have been
undertaken by volunteers to the benefit of both visitors and wildlife. The
first of these was the planting of the Field of Hope with daffodil bulbs by
the children of St. Peter’s Junior School in Ruddington. 
Puddling
the new pond in 1999Just as Hemendra Headworth was appointed head ranger
in 1997 the Rushcliffe Barn Owl group erected the barn owl boxes. Then the
duck island in the middle of the lake was created by the local branch of the
British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. Soon after Paul Owen became assistant
ranger (on a temporary basis at first) the Friends of Rushcliffe Country Park
were founded. In October 1997 the Community Garden Project began on a very
stormy day. For the first Chairman of the Friends it was a battle against
time and the elements:-
The weather was bad throughout the autumn. We worked at different times in high wind, pouring rain, thick fog and hard frost. The Garden was finished and opened to the public early in December. Just before the mayor arrived to perform the ceremony there was a snow storm, but many people still turned up, including children from St. Peter’s Junior School, who planted most of the trees and shrubs.”
The pond with a dipping platform was created in 1999. The members of a local youth group and their leaders puddled the clay with the ice floating in the water lapping round their wellingtons. The history trail with associated sign boards, marker posts and booklet was created as a Millennium Project in the following year. This time the Army Cadets lent a hand. The shelter-belt for the community garden was also part of this project. 2001 saw the completion of the nature trail.
Friends
of the Country Park take a break. Work continues on volunteer days despite
the weather.There have been several community arts projects. The first
was a mosaic workshop, when stepping stones were made for the community garden.
Then a wood-carving project produced `Rudda`s Throne`, also for the community
garden, and a kissing seat with the shape of a snake, which was placed by
the Bradmore Gate. Norman Ecob spoke for many who joined in these artistic
activities: “We found we had talents we did not know we had.”
The willow workshop was also very popular. Many interesting willow sculptures were made by the Friends and anyone else who cared to join in. Four banners were made using painting on silk techniques, and these are flown on the park for special events. Other, smaller tasks have been done, such as making two seats for Weggy Walk (alongside the railway). Nest boxes and bat boxes have been built.
A tree nursery has been established which has wheelchair access. Fences and stiles have been erected and hedges layed. Surveys of wildflowers have been undertaken and visitor surveys are carried out on a regular basis. The skateboard park was built in 2000 as a result of the enthusiasm and persistence of a group of local teenagers, who raised funds and lobbied until their dream was realised. All this, and more, has been done voluntarily by members of the community who wanted to take an active part in the development of their Country Park.
The Story > Chapter 10 > Section 10.03