Aims & Achievements

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Aims

The objects of the Trust established in 1988 are “to provide for the public benefit a park and recreation ground for the inhabitants of Peterborough and visitors with the object of improving the conditions of life for such persons”. To this end the Trust has evolved aims to deliver a park that meets those objects. They are;

• to protect and enhance the rich landscape diversity of water, woods and fields. The Trust has resolved to conserve the traditional landscape of the river valley and enhance this landscape when opportunities arise. It will manage all landscape with regard to creating and maintaining diversity for the interest of visitors and benefit of wildlife as well as manage land appropriately to its function and use. The Trust will work through and with its tenants to achieve the Trust's aims.

• to retain all land in the Trust's stewardship and ownership. It will acquire land as opportunities arise to extend the area of Nene Park under the Trust's management or to complement its management of the park.

• to manage mature and new woodlands according to good forestry and arboriculture practices. It will ensure the timely replacement or succession of woodlands and manage new woodlands towards maturity, ensuring their structural function in the park is maintained. It will maintain and enhance the amenity use of woodlands and use woodland products wherever possible to practical and economic benefit.

• to develop and maintain links with groups in the local community who by proximity or special interest have shared aims or interests with the Trust. It will advise and assist groups seeking to carry out projects in their own community or neighbourhood and encourage the greater use of the park and in particular Ferry Meadows as a resource by all people including those with special needs for whom the wider countryside is inaccessible.

• to make visits to Nene Park an enjoyable experience. Specifically the Trust seeks to improve the availability of information about the park to visitors. It has resolved to improve the amount and topicality of interpretative information by enhancing the range of media and events to appeal to a wider public. It will work with its tenants where practicable to produce a consistent quality of service reflecting the increasing levels of expectations of visitors. It will upgrade facilities and fixtures when opportunities arise in addition to meeting identified needs.

Achievements

Since its inception in1988 the Trust has overseen the growth and development of the Park which is now widely heralded as one of the jewels in Peterborough’s crown. In the first five years alone nearly 400 different groups visited the Park and it now attracts a conservatively estimated three quarters of a million visitors a year.

The Trust has undertaken substantial improvements to facilities and infrastructure, such as new footpaths and cycleway links, replacements for three bridges, redesigning the main car park in Ferry Meadows, new toilet blocks, children’s play areas and bird hides.
 

In 2000 the Trust completed a ‘Willow Trail’ in and around Ferry Meadows – the culmination of years of work to mark the significance of Willow in the landscape and heritage of the Nene valley.

This project has included the restoration of ancient willow pollards by the introduction of a rolling programme of re-pollarding to ensure their continued survival as well as the creation of 70 new ones.

Former and long derelict osier beds have been restored and new ones planted to reflect Peterborough’s past as a centre of Willow growing and the basketmaking industry.

Certain areas of Nene Park have also been enhanced for their nature conservation value, examples being a programme of woodland management with Forest Enterprises through the English Woodland Grant Scheme. Over 1000 native hardwood trees were planted on field boundaries, In addition the Trust planted new hedges and laid older ones, preserved mature elm trees, created a mosaic of grassland habitats and remodelled the wader scrape. The Trust has also entered into management agreements with Natural England for the site of special scientific interest at Castor Meadows SSSI and supported tenant farmers in their entry into the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

The variety in the landscape of the Park, and its habitats, also represents a considerable resource for learning. In recognition of this the Trust has developed an extensive programme of guided walks, craft demonstrations and workshops to run throughout the year. All of these and other aspects have combined to make Nene Park one of the premier sites of its kind in the country, and gained a high reputation for the Trust at regional, national and even international level. Today visitors benefit from the information and interpretation services delivered by the Rangers and Estate Staff who are in the Park daily. The theme that has been adopted is “Nene Park a Working Landscape” which explores the history and heritage of the traditional landscape and land uses found in this part of the Nene Valley.

As well as overseeing the development of the Park, the Trust has established the investment strategies that will ensure its financial stability and independence guaranteeing its future as a country park for the benefit of the people of Peterborough and the surrounding areas. The challenge ahead is to continue to use and develop plans and strategies for the ongoing development and sustainability of the Park.