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Biodiversity Enhancement Project in Abington Vale Park (Phase 1)

West Northamptonshire Council
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West Northamptonshire Council | 2022 | Northampton

Biodiversity Enhancement Project

Bridgewater Residents Association, a group that helps to support the community, successfully applied for the idverde Community Investment Fund to create a community flower meadow and plant two small trees in Abington Vale Park, Northampton.

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About the project

Abington Vale Park is an important, small green oasis located in a residential suburb of Northampton, which is also bounded by the busy A45 dual carriageway. The ecological function within the park is recognised as being quite poor. This was something that members of the Bridgewater Residents Association were determined to redress by improving and encouraging biodiversity across the park.

Working in partnership with West Northamptonshire Council and idverde’s Midlands Horticultural Development Manager, Nicola Clarke, the group successfully applied to the idverde Community Investment Fund for a small grant to create a nectar-rich community flower meadow specifically formulated for pollinating insects and the planting of two small trees, chosen for their aesthetic value and benefit for wildlife. The tree species chosen were Hawthorn (Crateagus monogyna) and Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia), both of which are native to the UK.

The result

The two new trees were planted by members of the Bridgewater Residents Association as part of the Abington Vale Park Biodiversity Enhancement Project and to coincide with the nationwide tree planting celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The trees will also be registered as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy. The tree planting is phase 1 of the project. A wildflower meadow will be sown with local school children at the end of April once the area has been prepped. It is hoped that the meadow will be used as an educational tool by the school in future years to teach about biodiversity, pollinating insects and flowers.

“We are so grateful to have received a grant from the idverde Community Investment Fund that will help improve the biodiversity across this beautiful park. As a result of creating a sanctuary for native plants and wildlife, we hope to encourage people to use the park more widely and to enjoy nature. We are really looking forward to the next phase of the enhancement project when we will invite pupils from the local primary school to come and help us sow the wildflower meadow.” Katie Baxter, Chair of Bridgewater Residents Association