Get involved with Plymouth’s new community park

The team from Poole Farm who are behind Derriford’s new Community Park want the public to get involved with the next phase of the park’s development.

Over 200 volunteers have already planted 900 metres of new hedgerow to help  improve the condition of the land along Seaton Valley for the benefit of wildlife, biodiversity and the surrounding communities.

The Council is creating a community park at Derriford covering 140-hectares to open up the beautiful Forder, Seaton and Bircham Valley. The park will also host an ‘environmental education hub’ within the community park created in partnership with Duchy College, part of The Cornwall College Group.

Councillor Patrick Nicholson, Deputy Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member responsible for Planning said: “We’re really excited about the new community park and hope as many local people as possible come along to get involved. As much as we are building new houses and developments in Plymouth we are also fully committed to protecting Plymouth’s green space to make sure the city remains a lovely place for people to live, work and play.”

Community tree planting days with Plymouth Environmental Action have been taking place throughout the winter with some of the trees donated by YGS Landscapes, the park’s first corporate sponsors.

On Saturday 11 March the team would love for people to come along and get involved in planting Plymouth’s biggest orchard. 216 fruit trees will be planted so that in years to come they will produce a free, healthy, local food source for residents and provide a huge increase in the opportunities for pollinating insects to stay healthy.

The event is also supported by Plymouth Environmental Action, Plymouth Community Orchard Network, Buglife, Devon Wildlife Trust hosting tree planting, wildflower seed sowing and bug box making activities. Members of the public, young and old, are invited to come along and help plant and staff will also be on hand to discuss the future plans of the site.

Other plans for the park include over 15 kilometres of new footpaths and cycle routes; new and improved habitats, community gardens for growing food for a proposed farm shop and café.

Visit the @PooleFarmProject Facebook page to keep up to date or email derrifordcp@plymouth.gov.uk for more information.