windmill hill city farm

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Groundwork Project

Groundwork, Community Spaces and Big Lottery Fund logos

The Groundwork project aimed to create a nature trail around the farm and awaken curiosity in our local wildlife, spark an interest in plants for pleasure and plants we can eat, and provide a secure and stimulating haven in which children can play and explore the natural environment. The project focused on four areas of the City Farm.

The Community Gardens and Allotments Border and New Nature Trail

The new path
Community Gardens border
- before, during and after
The undergrowth around the perimeter fence of the Community Gardens and Allotments has been cleared; some trees have been felled, and some crown-lifted. This was done to introduce more sunlight to the Community Gardens and Allotments by removing non-native weeds, self-seeded shrubs and trees to create an avenue of trees overhanging the new Nature Trail. Native plants, large boulders and logs now sit beneath the trees creating an attractive border.

 

The new path
Border path construction
- before, during and after
The start of the Nature Trail is the warm golden coloured path that now wends its way around the border of the Gardens and Allotments. It has two entrances, one opposite the Farmyard beneath the Willow arbour, and the other opposite the Pond Wildlife Reserve next to the compost area, and it has passing places for wheelchairs and buggies to use. In a year or two the native hawthorn hedge whips planted along the fence-line will provide a natural barrier between the Gardens and roads running alongside it.

 

The nature trail carvings
Carvings to spot along the nature trail

Mini totem poles (echoes of the large totem pole found in one of our pastures) have been installed to act as way markers guiding visitors along the nature trail that extends to the border of the City Farm at Clarke Street. These were designed by local children from the Woodcraft Folk and carved by volunteers from our Green Woodwork Group. Sensory and tactile plants, bird and bat boxes, catch the eye along the trail, and there are places to sit and enjoy the natural environment.

Community Picnic and Play Area

Community picnic area
Picnic space-before, during and after

At the centre of the Community Gardens and Allotments near the raised pond we have created a new garden area where people can enjoy the sun or rest in the dappled shade. It's a space where people can meet, eat, and relax together and children can explore nature through play. Espalier apple trees and attractive sensory plants and herbs encircle the space. New garden picnic furniture especially designed for us and hand crafted in oak, plus wildlife habitats such as bird baths and nesting boxes, and play features made of natural materials complete the picture.

The Pond Wildlife Reserve

At the far end of the golden garden path the trail leads across the main thoroughfare into the secluded Pond Wildlife Reserve. Here, some of the tree branches overhanging the pond have been reduced to help with the problem of leaf debris in the water, although the area remains naturally shaded and cool.

The new path
Community Nature Reserve
- before, during and after
More wildlife habitats to provide homes for wildlife complement the existing ‘bug hotel', and seasonal woodland flowers and shrubs adorn the flower-beds. The nursery playground is now screened by a bamboo fence that forms a natural boundary between the two areas but there are peepholes cut through the bamboo so that the children can still see through into the reserve.

The pond is now planted with lilies, bordered with plants and a pond-viewing platform sits in the centre of the log fence that surrounds it. A small waterfall that has been installed to keep the pond water clear and oxygenate plants, gurgles softly in the background. An information board telling people about pond-life lies to the right of the pond, and a curvy carved bench situated amongst the trees provides a place to relax and enjoy the scenery.

Wild Woodland Area

The Wild Wood
Wild Wood - during and after

From the Wildlife Reserve, take the path marked by the way-markers around the animal pastures to the woodland behind them bordering Clarke Street. The scrub between the palisade fencing and wood has been cleared to make way for a woodchip path bordered with logs, leading to a seating area. Hawthorn whips will eventually screen the space from the road outside. Carved woodland beasties are dotted here and there and bird habitats perch the trees. It's a place where people can relax, soak up the atmosphere and watch children explore and play amongst the trees.

The Big Lottery Community Spaces Groundwork project could not have succeeded without contributions from many people and organisations. Please see our Role of Thanks page for details.