Volunteers came together on Sunday (6th November 2011) to plant 1,500 wildlife bulbs and five mature trees in Westow Park, Crystal Palace.
Five alders and one foxglove tree were planted in the playground to provide shade and autumn/winter colour. The foxglove tree is a fast-growing variety so it is hoped will provide some shade to the picnic area in the Westow Park within the next few years. The alders will have attractive catkins in spring and turn a beautiful golden colour in the autumn, adding all-year interest as well as shade to the children’s play area.
Wildlife bulbs – including native bluebells, wild garlic, wood anemones and snowdrops – will provide colour and interest at two of the main park entrances in the spring.
The Autumn Mega Work Day followed on from a similar event in the spring when more than 70 people came from all over Croydon to plant a wildlife hedge of 350 trees.
Celia Davis, from the Friends of Westow Park, who organised both work days said: “This time we’re brightening up the Church Road entrance and filling the wooded area near College Green with a wealth of native bulbs, adding to the daffodils that are already there.”
Local mum, Anna Orchard of Fitzroy Gardens said: “Events like this really bring the community together. It’s a chance to do something for the local environment and meet new people at the same time.”
Since the Friends of Westow Park was set up in January 2009, it has been very busy. It has won over £120,000 of funding, most of which has been used to refurbish the much used but rundown playground. New play equipment was added this summer, with additional climbing facilities for older children, balancing bars and a picnic area installed outside the playground.
Local dad, James Murray said he brings his children to the new playground a lot. “I think it’s very good. I’m impressed that they’ve chosen to invest in such high quality equipment.”
Friends of Westow Park have also invested in the biodiversity of the park, planting more than 400 hedge trees, bulbs and building bug towers to attract stag beetles and other wildlife back to the park.
More recently, Westow Park hosted the highly successful Crystal Palace Overground Festival in August and has recently been awarded £2,200 to set up a boules court from Croydon Council’s Small Grants Fund.
Alex de Rementeria of Wakefield Gardens said: “The park looks lovely and knowing the community is behind it lifts your spirits.”
Notes for editors
Release forms have been signed by legal guardians of all children featured in photos. Please credit Will Baker for the photos.
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For media enquiries about Friends of Westow Park, please contact:
Juno Baker
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