Let it grow
Managing our grass areas, whilst helping nature thrive
BCP Council manages around 2,500 hectacres (6,177 acres, or 3,500 football pitches) of greenspace across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. We consciously balance the mowing of grass areas. Some areas are mown regularly, and some areas are allowed to grow to support wildlife.
Creating more wildlife friendly areas helps us to increase biodiversity. It also allows our teams to focus their efforts on cutting sites that need regular mowing, such as sports pitches and parks.
Nature is complex and thrives when left alone. BCP Council is continuing to leave some areas of grass uncut throughout the spring and summer months. We work hard to achieve a balance for the benefit of people and wildlife and to put our resources where they are most needed.
Further changes to grassland management may be trialled in the future based on what we learn, and the availability of resources.
Check the BCP Grass cutting pages for information on cutting rounds and schedules, and where grass & flower meadow areas are left to grow during the spring and summer months.
Parks maintenance
Below are maintenance plans for some of the parks with clearly zoned areas where we are trialling leaving areas uncut for the whole year to support the lifecycle of insects, where areas are cut regularly for recreation and where volunteers are managing small parts of the park. Any feedback should be directed to greenspaces@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.
Alexandra Park
Boscombe Chine Gardens
Moore Avenue
Muscliff Park
Redhill Park
Sherborn Crescent Open Space
Winton Recreation Ground
Greenspace Initiatives
Future Parks Rethinking the future of BCP's parks and green spaces
Urban Greening project Greening BCP's streets, schools and public areas
Give to parks, nature and green space Be a force for nature in BCP
Let it grow Managing our grass areas for people and for nature
The Nature Pledge & Garden for Nature Helping nature at home, school or at work
Greenspace strategies, plans & reports Investing in nature recovery, healthy living & climate change resilience
The Stour Valley partnership Working together on a landscape-scale project
