Urban Greening Project

Two rainwater capture projects were carried out during the project, one involving harvesting & re-use of it, the other allowing run-off to soak away naturally. Both were designed to reduce pressure on urban sewage systems (which helps alleviate local flood risk).

In the first rainwater was harvested from the roofs of buildings within open spaces. In total nine large, heavy duty rainwater butts have been installed either close to our community growing gardens or beside wildlife ponds. As a result volunteers have easy access to water, and will need to use much less tap water maintaining the gardens during summer. The delicate ecosystem of wildlife ponds will also benefit significantly from natural (chemical-free & nutrient-free) rainwater for top-ups when needed.

The second project involved the creation of a wetland SuDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage System) at Winton Recreation Ground where Maxwell Road, north of the rec, experiences flooding after significant rain events – in part due to rainwater run-off from the rec’s tarmac car park.

Sunken areas, regraded ground profiles and and tiered stone-filled gabions allow rainwater to run off the car park and soak away naturally. A 150m² area of tarmac was removed beside the cycle track for further changes to profiles and a low mound created inside the new fence line to prevent water from running on to the track. The area has been planted with vegetation. The design also provides wild areas that will remain wetter for longer, providing a different habitat for a diverse range of wetland-loving wildflower and grass species.

A total of 12 schools engaged with The Parks Foundation (TPF) team around adopting urban greening principles as part of their grounds maintenance. They were selected based on their proximity to green spaces that TPF already work in, or in areas offering potential to enhance wildlife connectivity.

Staff were advised on urban greening principles, on ways to enhance the biodiversity of their grounds, and in some cases supported with projects they already had ideas for, or had planned and found funding for, but were unsure how to best proceed.

St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Avonbourne Academy and Iford Academy (Tregonwell), Bournemouth border each other and are all part of the Littledown Greenway wildlife corridor project:

• Approx. 1km of native mix hedgerow was planted (some 3000 whips), with associated marginal meadow habitat, running along their perimeters , connecting the 3 schools
• TPF supported the school in the planning and installation of a wildlife pond & fencing at St Peter’s

At St Josph’s Catholic Primary School, Christchurch TPF carried out planting with the support of students and staff:

• 9 semi-mature native trees planted
• 20m native mix hedgerow (approx 90 whips)
• 50m² annual/perennial meadow sown

At Somerford Primary School, Christchurch (see image gallery below)

• 80m² annual/perennial meadows sown in front of their green
• Mowing regime reduced allowing natural meadow regeneration
• 3 double swift boxes & swift silhouettes fitted to a suitably high school building

At Christchurch Junior School 

• 3 double swift boxes and swift silhouettes installed as part of the Portfield Close ‘Swift Street’ project (see toggle below for detail)
• Advised on 3 semi-mature trees and native whips to plant
• School adopted a reduced mowing regime and two areas of grassland have been allowed to grow to meadow

At Longspee Secondary, Bournemouth

• Staff advised on urban greening principles
• TPF team delivered regular ‘Longspee Ranger’ sessions encouraging students out into Slades Farm to learn green skills and help with parks maintenance
• The school has since built a polytunnel and created a growing space

At Magna Academy, Poole

• The school’s Magna Changemakers for Climate group, made up of students across all years, learned how to rewild their playground and which plants would thrive in that environment
• Staff were advised on urban greening principles, suitable native tree species, native hedge planting, and the development of an allotment space
• TPF planted semi-mature native trees with the help of staff & students

The team also undertook site walks with staff at Bayside Academy, Avonwood Primary School, Manorside Academy and Twynham School with the aim of encouraging the adoption of urban greening principles.

Common Swifts are a red-listed species that traditionally migrate from Africa each spring to nest and raise chicks in the eaves, roofs & rafters of our older buildings. Modern home renovations and building materials mean they increasingly face problems finding suitable nesting sites and the UK breeding population is in decline.

The Parks Foundation (TPF) worked with Christchurch Harbour Ornithological Group (CHOG) and BCP Council to identify Portfield Close in Christchurch as a ‘Swift Hotspot’ – an area where a colony of Swifts is discovered nesting – with potential for improvement.

The Parks Foundations went door-knocking, seeking out Portfield Close residents interested in swift conservation, who were then offered a free swift nesting box, along with a swift silhouette (which helps attract them to the new nesting site), installation included.  The offer was taken up by 12 homeowners who had boxes and silhouettes installed as a result, taking the number of CHOG nest boxes in the BCP area to 144 (source: www.chog.org.uk/chog-swifts)

TPF went on to support CHOG to deliver events at five locations during Swift Awareness Week (29 June – 7 July 2024) – promoting swift conservation and urban greening principles, with an emphasis on attracting flying insects that provide a vital food source for swifts.

The Parks Foundation was approached by a community champion at the Bourne Community Hub with the idea of improving the neglected chicane planters of the Bourne Estate, with the aim of creating a nectar rich corridor running along Arne Avenue, Northmere Road and Melbury Avenue.

A BCP Council Landscape Architect created a suitable planting list, and the purchase of 1000 plants plus compost was funded by the Bourne Big Local community group. Twenty five local volunteers joined The Parks Foundation to plant out 24 planters over the period of several days in April 2024. The Bourne Community Hub have taken responsibility for their future care & maintenance.