5,000 trees being planted to extend Bradgate Park woodland
WORK has begun on planting more than 5,000 trees to create a new woodland at Bradgate Park.
With the help of £75,000 in funding, 12 types of tree will be planted, including wild cherry, silver birch and several types of oak, as part of the National Forest’s Changing Landscapes scheme.
Four types of shrub are also being planted.
The planting is taking place in Alabaster Hayes field, off Roecliffe Road and next to Swithland Woods.
The newly created woodland will also have a surfaced path from the woods and park benches, two boards with information about the project and a tree-leaf rubbing post where
children can take their own imprint of their favourite leaves.
Funding has been provided by the National Forest Company, with additional support from the Charnwood Landscape Partnership Scheme, backed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Louise Driver, the National Forest Company’s director of operations, said: “Bradgate Park is a beloved open space for the people of Leicestershire and the National Forest.
“The new woodlands, hedgerows and parkland trees enabled by this funding will ensure the park will be rich in wildlife for generations to come.”
James Dymond, director of the Bradgate Park Trust, said: “I am absolutely delighted to see us begin this fantastic project and I’d like to thank the National Forest and the Charnwood Landscape Partnership Scheme for their funding to bring our ambitions of developing the Alabaster Hayes field to reality.
“The opportunity to expand Bradgate Park’s woodland area means visitors will have even more areas to explore and enjoy, and that the Trust is helping to do its bit to mitigate climate change.”
The chairman of Bradgate Park Trust, Nick Rushton, said: “We continue to see Bradgate Park go from strength to strength.
“The addition of more than 5,000 trees, pathways and benches for the public in a previously underused space will only add to people’s enjoyment of one of the most popular parks in the county.
“This brilliant project also has many environmental benefits, and it’s great to see Bradgate Park play its part as the county works towards its target to be a net zero carbon county, including the ambition to plant 700,000 trees across Leicestershire.
“We’re proud of the work that goes into making Bradgate Park such a success, and the support of the National Forest and the Charnwood Landscape Partnership Scheme is appreciated.”