GREAT NEWS!
The Council has provided twelve new Community Orchards within the borough with the long term aim to develop a Community Orchard within every Ward area. The sites will include many different fruit and nut trees allowing free access for any visitor of the parks.
Planting of fruit trees in parks and open spaces has often been considered unusual, and traditionally there have been few schemes which have incorporated orchards into parks and landscape schemes. However Community Orchards offer an excellent place for people to relax, work and learn and can be situated in a variety of places including parks, schools, hospitals and housing estates in cities, towns or villages. They are a way of reviving an interest in traditional horticultural skills as well as enabling people to engage with nature and gain an understanding of where their food has come from. They also help with the reduction of 'food miles' which is becoming ever more important when we consider ways to reduce the human impact on climate change.
An orchard is a collection of fruit trees. Traditional orchards - with tall standard trees, planted among grass full of wild flowers - constitute places of tranquillity, places where you can find continuity in the landscape.
The Council's existing community orchards;
- Mersey Vale Nature Park
- Abney Park
The Council's new community orchards;
- Reddish Vale Country Park
- North Reddish Park
- Marbury Road Public Open Space
- Heaton Norris Recreation Ground
- Hollywood Park
- Tangshutts & Gotherage Recreation Ground
- Cuddington Crescent Public Open Space
- Ladybrook Valley
- Egerton Park
- Half Moon Lane Public Open Space
- Woodbank Park/Woodlands Park
- Highfield Road Recreation Park
If you would like to help us maintain the Orchard or get involved in any way, please let us know by contacting the local friends of group or the Arboriculture Team.