Woolston Park

Thousands of tonnes of soil were used to create the park’s open spaces and sports pitches. There are three main habitat types on the park – wetland, woodland and grassland.

Spittle Brook forms the backbone of the park. Its steep banks are the result of engineering works carried out to reduce the threat of flooding to local housing.

The park is home to small mammals, such as the endangered water vole, and kingfishers can sometimes be seen. You might spot a grebe in the winter. Celandines offer a first sign of spring, while late spring sees the arrival of Sedge Warblers from Africa. Spittle Brook, the wildfowl pond and the fenced wildlife pond, along with seasonal wet areas, form the main wetland areas.

The wildfowl pond was excavated in 1997 to provide a habitat for dragonflies and amphibians. Trees were planted to form the woodlands we see today. It is home to a breeding pair of swans, mallards and moorhens. Stands of willow provide a link with the area’s agricultural past, when vegetables were grown on the peaty soils of Woolston Moss. Farmers carried their produce to market in wicker baskets made from willow grown on the wetter parts of the farm, with many areas along Spittle Brook being used as willow beds.

The woodlands provide food and shelter for many creatures and are colourful in the autumn. Woodland birds include bullfinches and jays.

Take the path through Meadow Wood or visit the Hazel Coppice. This area, close to the Community Garden is managed to produce long, straight poles for craftwork and to benefit wildlife. Also, don’t forget to visit Jubilee garden.

Grassland

Some grass is kept short for sport and informal games but in many areas of the park the grass is allowed to grow long. This is to encourage many plants to flourish and benefits insects and small mammals. Look out for the cornfield in the summer, which is planted near the wildlife pond and the wildflower meadow, close to Meadow Wood, attracting many butterflies.

Woolston Park makes an excellent base from which to explore the local countryside and rights of way network, including Birchwood Forest Park, Risley Moss Local Nature Reserve, Paddington Meadows or Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve via paths along the New Cut Canal and River Mersey or go further afield to Rixton Claypits or Black Bear Park. You could even link up with the Trans Pennine Trail and come back on the penny ferry. Grey Mist fishing pool is accessed from New Cut Lane off Manchester Road (A57).