We are committed to making our approaches to the management and maintenance of our parks and open spaces more sustainable, and this year we are trialling some new ideas.
The more variety we can encourage in our parks and open spaces, the more eco-systems we can support. Increasing biodiversity makes nature more resilient and helps to protect people from the effects of climate change.
Find out more about combatting the climate and nature emergency
Reducing the amount of waste, we produce is crucial to becoming more sustainable and, where possible, we will keep compostable waste on site.
You might start to see areas of wood chippings spread on shrub beds and where trees have to be felled, we will try to leave some standing wood to rot down naturally. If that is not possible, we may stack timber and leave it close to where it was felled. This reduces the need to move the timber off site and creates a great habitat.
Find out more about dead wood
We will also reduce the number of bedding plants we buy each year and instead replace with other plants like spring flowering bulbs, meadow flowers or perennial plants.
Find out more about plants for wildlife
Recycling bins will be installed in some of our parks. It is important that the bins are used properly so that we can recycle as much as possible. Please only use these bins for the waste described on their information sign.
Find out more about the 7 benefits of recycling
By leaving some areas of grass unmown, the grass can grow longer, and the natural flora can flourish – providing areas for wildlife to flourish too. Increased plant species will feed a wider range of pollinating insects and provide areas for small mammals to forage. We will also be adding wildflower seed to some areas to try to increase the different species.
Find out more about grasslands for wildlife
Find out more about plants for pollinating insects like bees
We will be allowing some areas to ‘re-wild’. This means that in some places that do not need to be kept neat and tidy, we will allow natural regeneration. These areas provide great habitat for birds, insects and mammals.
Find out more about the 15 ways to a wilder garden
Some of our hedgerows will be cut less frequently, which is not only great for nesting birds, but also means they can also produce spring flowers to support pollinating insects. The fruit that follows the flowers then provides food for the birds.
Find out more about the best hedges for wildlife
You may see us using some equipment that looks a bit different to our usual tools and machinery. This year we will be trialling some electrically powered equipment to reduce the amount of fuel we use to maintain parks and open spaces.
Trees are already being planted around the borough to capture carbon. This includes woodland and woodland edge, parkland planting, orchards, hedges and avenue planting. We are also committed to caring for our veteran trees so you will start to see some measures in place to discourage visitors from walking over tree roots. This may be some low fencing, planting or simply longer grass.
Find out more about how trees fight climate change
We are excited to announce that we have developed a long-term master plan for the enhancement and improvement of South Park, Macclesfield. The plan focuses on sensitive enhancements to support the community and the natural environment to thrive hand in hand. Nature, education, and health and wellbeing are themes that run through the plan, and we believe will support the local community to live happy and healthy lives.
The plan has been developed by a steering group made up of council and community representatives. It will be displayed in the park throughout summer, and we welcome comments and ideas to help us further develop and refine the plan. If you would like to comment on the plan email parks@ansa.co.uk