The Projects

A little over £50,000 Planning Obligations funding in the Oakdale Ward has been allocated to improvements to open spaces; this is being invested in three sites:

Parr’s Plantation works planned for winter 2018-19

St George’s Playing Field completed March 2018

Oakdale Park completed July 2017

Parr’s Plantation

Works planned for winter 2018 (tbc)

Referred to in the past as ‘the countryside in the town’ Parr’s Plantation is a wonderful little nature reserve on the edge of Oakdale, right next to the Dorset Way.

Tightening budgets over previous years meant that woodland management and general site maintenance fell below the required standard. StreetScene has already made efforts to cut back encroaching vegetation, to open up the paths and also begin to address the drainage issues. Parr’s is now in real need of investment to reverse the historic decline.

We are hoping that the works listed below will only be the beginning and are keen to try and find some more funding in the future to fully recover this beautiful little gem.

If you are interested in helping, practically on site with tools, or by setting up a ‘Friends of Parr’s Plantation’ group to help apply for future funding, then please get in touch.

Planned works include:

• Removal of old fences around enclosures
• Habitat management / conservation
• Path and access improvement work
• Tree work
• Creation of a small, informal natural play space with some seating

St George’s Playing Field

About The Project

St George’s Playing Field

St George’s Playing Field is a fantastic place to enjoy a picnic or play ball games. However very little shelter is offered by the current facilities. We have realised the opportunity to create shade by planting trees as illustrated in the gallery image below. This will not only benefit users of the Field but is also good for wildlife.

The row of new Oak trees link together the two stands of existing mature oaks. The fact that the trees are oaks (the national tree of England) being planted in St George’s Field (the Patron Saint of England) – and in Oakdale – should not go unnoticed! Other project works included:

• Improvements to access points and boundary fences
• General site improvements, removing obsolete signage
• Replacement of the benches in the play area
• Re-treatment of wooden play equipment

Oakdale Park

Oakdale Park

Works completed July 2017

Improvement works had previously been carried out at Oakdale Park, completed in 2010. Unfortunately the resin bound surface on footpaths did not last well, it began to break up and holes developed which had become a trip hazard over the years.

The surface was replaced in July 2017, just in time for the school summer holidays.