Rethinking an urban park
This project is testing innovative, nature based approaches in Central Park, Plymouth’s largest park, focusing on delivery of sustainable drainage solutions in the Central Park Ponds Project and a Treescape for the future.
Central Park Pond Project
This project will transform rainwater from a problem into a resource for wildlife and the community, by using a Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) that harnesses the power of nature to improve the flow of rainwater and reduce flooding in a changing climate, in a way that complements the natural environment. The project will improve access, conserve heritage features and trees, create a destination space, make homes for wildlife and provide a place to learn about water and nature.
Find out more about the project by watching the video below...
Addressing existing drainage issues…
Currently, the pond and park drainage near the Barn Park entrance do not work meaning heavy rainfall can flood the area and cause drains to overflow making it hard for people to travel through the park. Additionally, runoff from the park contributes to flooding downstream.
...through enhancing wildlife and amenity value
Our solution will collect rainwater into a series of ponds - the existing pond and two new larger ponds - that will hold water all year and will journey here through redesigned granite drainage channels and a new swale; a shallow area of wet grassland with small dams and weirs that slow the flow of water and help it enter the ground. Whilst these changes involve reshaping areas of the park and removing a small number of trees, a large amount of new planting will help to capture rainwater and create a better place for wildlife like bees, birds, bats and frogs. Raising existing walkways, stepping stones and new viewing platforms with seating will allow visitors to connect with these wild areas, and provide space for outdoor learning and there will be opportunities for the community to be involved in delivery of the project.
Treescape for the Future: conserve, engage, future proof
Central Park is home to a diverse mix of thousands of trees, including veteran, remarkable and champion trees. In recent years, storms have had a notable impact on park trees, resulting in visible gaps in the park landscape and there are new challenges from diseases like Ash dieback. In response to this, the Treescape for the Future will develop a strategy for trees in Central Park, which celebrates their social and environmental value and inspires and supports communities to work together with the Council to care for them.
Actions
1 – Conserve
Care for existing trees and identify opportunities for replacing trees.
2 – Engage
Encourage interaction with trees; to learn about, connect with and celebrate trees. Provide opportunities to discover the relationships between wildlife and trees and take part in action for nature.
3 – Future proof
Ensure that trees continue to thrive in a changing climate; review and update management practices to ensure best outcomes for trees and nature; work with the community and partners to identify opportunities for planting; enhance the existing tree stock; ensure planting follows Plymouth Plan for Trees and benefits people and nature.
Projects
- Pounds Park – celebrate and enhance the features that make Pounds Park special: peace and space, formal gardens, mature specimen trees, networks for nature, heritage.
- The woodland – secure the future of the woods, make improvements for wildlife, update management practices.
- Conservation project for elm trees & White-letter hairstreak butterflies (which rely on elm trees)– planting trees, nature surveys, habitat creation and management for wildlife, action plan for elm trees and WLH butterflies in Central Park.
- The old Zoo Field – designing and delivering a new landscape design to benefit people and nature.
- Southern slopes area (fields south of the baseball pitch) – Tree planting.
Related News
![A1](https://green-minds.imgix.net/a1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=675&q=80&w=1200&s=caff96df2572eb2664c70abcfa047892 1200w, https://green-minds.imgix.net/a1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=563&q=80&w=1000&s=541e54f09072117b2c2d9b0d2315ca04 1000w, https://green-minds.imgix.net/a1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=800&s=bde43aa1e56957eead5789c0cdbc46a8 800w, https://green-minds.imgix.net/a1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=338&q=80&w=600&s=eb811a1bda9be9c2013cc06e7efe4fb2 600w, https://green-minds.imgix.net/a1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=225&q=80&w=400&s=ddcb3e688795b1ce2ce973bfa7678f6c 400w)
Amazing Allotments at Central Park!
Posted on: 9th Jan 23
![309106007 5875453062467562 3386342399504186281 n](https://green-minds.imgix.net/309106007_5875453062467562_3386342399504186281_n.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=675&q=80&w=1200&s=3da51269c32ac4dc1071b2c61f95cd08 1200w, https://green-minds.imgix.net/309106007_5875453062467562_3386342399504186281_n.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=563&q=80&w=1000&s=f278642bc97e5147dbfb7fcfe41a5857 1000w, https://green-minds.imgix.net/309106007_5875453062467562_3386342399504186281_n.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=800&s=546f59d6f674dccab5d27e5d7f31cc9d 800w, https://green-minds.imgix.net/309106007_5875453062467562_3386342399504186281_n.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=338&q=80&w=600&s=ed85fbbedea478d9d1f045526e86125f 600w, https://green-minds.imgix.net/309106007_5875453062467562_3386342399504186281_n.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=225&q=80&w=400&s=28a1d03ac32c6c6a42eae02032679394 400w)
Celebrating Green Hands
Posted on: 7th Dec 22
![Central Park Ponds Artwork Outline 03](https://green-minds.imgix.net/Central-Park-Ponds-Artwork-Outline-03.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=675&q=80&w=1200&s=4e32f2c274341257a152e0ce2884c076 1200w, https://green-minds.imgix.net/Central-Park-Ponds-Artwork-Outline-03.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=563&q=80&w=1000&s=8d9d4fd0c622badeea9426fec5c9eb95 1000w, https://green-minds.imgix.net/Central-Park-Ponds-Artwork-Outline-03.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=800&s=4ae449e9c32b6d9aef39039f2501ca29 800w, https://green-minds.imgix.net/Central-Park-Ponds-Artwork-Outline-03.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=338&q=80&w=600&s=859b7865af46007ffc53facb4dc5c10c 600w, https://green-minds.imgix.net/Central-Park-Ponds-Artwork-Outline-03.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=225&q=80&w=400&s=d32345407efa2091502874708c1ca2ab 400w)
Work on new Central Park ponds to begin!
Posted on: 27th Sep 22
Senses workshop with Sensory Trust and Arts University Plymouth!
Posted on: 17th Jun 22
Eco Warriors help wildlife in Central Park!
Posted on: 30th Mar 22
![210529 Treescapes](https://green-minds.imgix.net/210529-Treescapes.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=675&q=80&w=1200&s=a4144bf0ce4702eb4bdda5cf98552254 1200w, https://green-minds.imgix.net/210529-Treescapes.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=563&q=80&w=1000&s=165f60abedf7f440d4e45e34663e9a0b 1000w, https://green-minds.imgix.net/210529-Treescapes.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=800&s=c07651f6fb687d0e226ce99b5517a463 800w, https://green-minds.imgix.net/210529-Treescapes.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=338&q=80&w=600&s=a09376bf84115465ca86f98b4c7f032d 600w, https://green-minds.imgix.net/210529-Treescapes.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=225&q=80&w=400&s=786ad2fc6706d12d97503edfb03fbf9d 400w)