East Leake’s Meadow Park declared Local Wildlife Site for its conservation of biodiversity
Last updated: 21/6/2024
Meadow Park in East Leake has been declared a Local Wildlife Site for its contribution to nature conservation and breadth of biodiversity, enhancing wildlife in the Borough and County.
The park, located off Gotham Road in the village, is recognised as an amenity park with areas of relict grassland and is owned by Rushcliffe Borough Council and managed in partnership with East Leake Parish Council and the Friends of Meadow Park.
Local Wildlife Sites are home to rare species or represent the best-surviving examples of habitats that were once widespread and typical of the county landscape.
Using scientifically-determined criteria and detailed ecological surveys, the panel of experts in Nottinghamshire designated the eighteen hectares of open countryside a Local Wildlife site.
Plant species found at the site include dropwort, pepper saxifrage and great burnet, all indicators of old meadows. The site also has good displays of cowslips in early spring.
The park is home to a wide variety of birds including song thrushes, whitethroats and willow warblers, and 22 species of butterfly including holly blue, speckled wood and peacock were recorded in the park last year.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Director for Neighbourhoods Dave Banks said: “We’re pleased that Meadow Park has been awarded Local Wildlife Site status, recognising its important role in conserving and enhancing local wildlife and forming key components of ecological networks.
“10% of Nottinghamshire is covered by Local Wildlife Sites, and Meadow Park is a welcomed addition to our most valuable wildlife areas in Rushcliffe and the County.
“Thank you to East Leake Parish Council, Friends of Meadow Park and all partners involved in helping to manage the popular park.”
East Leake Parish Council Clerk Sue Lewis added: “We congratulate the Friends of Meadow Park on achieving this status and are very grateful for the hard work the volunteers have put in, we are very lucky as a village to have this amenity on our doorstep.”
Friends Of Meadow Park Chairperson Kevin Gibbons said: “The Friends Of Meadow Park are delighted to hear that the park has been recognised as a Local Wildlife Site.
“We thank our dedicated and hardworking members who help maintain the park. Last year our volunteers put in 795 hours of their time keeping the park tidy and working on various projects to ensure that the overall biodiversity continues to improve.”
