Bold Venture Park Management Plan 2008

10:08am Friday 25th April 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

I attended the Friends of Bold Venture Park meeting last month in the draughty Scout hut on the 'top park'.

Groundwork has created a management plan as part of a submission for the Green Flag Award.

Below are just a few points worth mentioning which have been taken and condensed for your interest!

The level of maintenance in the park has increased over the last few years and walls are inspected once a year to ensure they are in good condition.

There is an ongoing programme of pruning, extra light is allowing the under story to flourish.

Twice a year horticultural beds are cleared, weeded, planted, fed edged off and watered and any tree which is dead dying or dangerous will be dealt with as a priority straight away.

The management plan recognises the Friends of BVP as a valuable asset in the development of community involvement in the park.

Some things which are planned, or ideas for the future are listed below.

Remove invasive species such as rhododendrons.
Develop a woodland management plan.
Restore or refurbish Huntington Fountain site.
Minimise chemical use but target Knotweed and Balsam.
Hold annual events in the park.
Promote the park in a range of publications and keep website information up to date.

The playground refurbishment is due to start this summer sometime, and to be completed before the end of the year.

That project alone is costing over £150k so it should be a massive improvement for the park and for the surrounding communities.

Hopefully the Friends will succeed in their bid to get the park Green Flag status.

I recommend that if you've never been into Bold Venture Park, August will be a great time for families, as the Darwen Gala is held on the field opposite and there will be loads of activities, stalls and games.