Hertsmere Borough Council, working with Hertfordshire County Council’s Countryside Management Service (CMS), is preparing to improve the wetland area near the footpath to Croxdale Road at Aberford Park. The project will restore the original pond, open up overgrown areas and create better conditions for wildlife and for residents to enjoy this part of the park. It will also provide clearer lines of site when walking into the park from Croxdale Road.
Work includes:
· Clearing around 800 square metres of scrub, while retaining selected trees, bramble and established habitat areas.
· Restoring the original pond, covering around 300 square metres, to approximately one metre deep at its centre.
· Creating gently sloping, wide shallow margins and an irregular pond edge to provide a more natural habitat.
· Leaving a varied pond base to encourage plants to establish naturally.
Following the main restoration work, CMS volunteers will sow a suitable pond-edge seed mix around the margins in spring, once water levels allow. This will help establish diverse native flowers and slow growing grasses.
Cllr Chris Myers, Portfolio Holder for Street Scene, Leisure and Culture said:
“I’m delighted to continue the upgrades to Aberford Park. In the spring and summer, we restored the footbridges across the Brook. This latest phase will restore the pond and wetland area and further encourage the wildlife that we know our residents value. It will also improve sight lines and make the path more welcoming as you enter from Croxdale Road. Following this, we will continue with improvements to the brook, play equipment and skate park.
“Aberford Park will remain publicly accessible, but paths close to the pond may need to close temporarily while work is under way. Warning signs and barriers will be used where necessary, and work areas will be left safe at the end of each day. Site access for works vehicles will be via Croxdale Road and the nearby service road.”
For more information, please contact parks@hertsmere.gov.uk or telephone 020 8207 2277
The improvement works are due to commence on Tuesday 10 November and it is anticipated it will take two weeks.