COTGRAVE COUNTRY PARK

Following the closure of the Nottinghamshire Collieries, Nottinghamshire County Council and the Forestry Commission entered into a partnership with British Coal to restore 8 former colliery sites.

The proposal was to re-shape the pit tips and develop each site in a way that would benefit wildlife, improve the landscape, produce timber and provide recreation opportunities.  At Cotgrave the earth works commenced in August 1997.  The basic facts and figures of the restoration include:-

·         60 hectares of the site have been restored to new country park including the creation of new ponds, wetlands, broadleaf woodland and open space. ·         60 hectares has been restored to agriculture. ·         Over 2 million tonnes of earth has been moved around the site ·         Over 5 kilometres of new stone roads and paths have been constructed ·         Horse gallops and bridleways have been provided ·         A new Scout Camp area has been created ·         To date over 120,000 trees have been planted

    (Note: The old pit head has been retained for development and does not form part of the Country  Park)

So now all this work has been completed what happens next?

Management of the site in the short term will be the responsibility of Nottinghamshire County Council's Environment Department.  Our experience of similar projects has shown that community involvement and participation is essential to the long-term success of such sites.

The first step was a meeting with Cotgrave Forum.  This was very successful with plenty of positive feedback about the site and many individuals and organisations expressing an interest in getting involved.

The next step is to organise an informal meeting to discuss exactly how people might get involved, find our particular interests and identify what additional facilities might be needed.  Suggestions so far include:-

·         Increased awareness of site through local publicity

·         Provision of information boards

·         Seating and signs

·         Improved car parking and access

·         Setting up a 'Friends of Cotgrave Country Park' group **

·         Investigating potential funding for a part-time ranger

·         A visitors centre

** (A meeting took place on Wednesday evening, 22nd May, notes were made of people`s likes and dislikes, these were taken away by the officers and feedback will be given at the next meeting.  (Date and time to be advised at a later date).

If you are interested in becoming involved in the future decision making and management of Cotgrave Country Park or have any comments, please contact:-

Nic Wort - Nottinghamshire County Council, Environment, Tel 01623 758231

or look out for publicity giving details of future meetings and events.

 

 

COTGRAVE COUNTRY PARK

SUMMARY OF FEEDBACK FROM THE FIRST COMMUNITY LIAISON MEETING

Introduction

The first Community Liaison meeting was held on Wednesday 22^nd May 2002 at Cotgrave Leisure Centre.

The purpose of the meeting was to consider potential community involvement in the development and management of Cotgrave Country Park.

Aims

The aims of the meeting were:

• To gain a better understanding of the views (good and bad) of local people in relation to Cotgrave Country Park

• To ascertain local aspirations for the country park, i.e. produce a wish list of facilities, events and activities.

• Agree initial priorities and time scales and develop an action plan. To help us achieve these aims we undertook a number of simple mapping activities.

Activity One - Mapping Attendees Home Area.

Everyone attending the event was asked to mark on a map of Cotgrave, their home location or the main meeting point of the organisations they were representing.

This was done to establish whether all areas of Cotgrave were represented on the

liaison group.

The attached map indicates there are some gaps - see hatched areas.

Action:

If anyone knows of any groups or individuals from the areas shown on the attached maps who may be interested in the County Park and associated issues, please let me know or pass on my contact details to the person concerned.

Activity Two - List of Views

• To gain a better understanding of the views (good and bad) of local people in relation to Cotgrave Country Park

This was a map-based activity where people were asked to record their views on what was good or bad about the Country Park,

GOOD	BAD
Peace and Quiet	Toilets
Wildlife bird watching dragonflies trees and landscape	Lack of children facilities: play area toddler trail appropriate size furniture
Walking	Dog faeces
Good access for people with disabilities / push chairs etc	Tipping / Rubbish - particularly along canal
Potential good facilities for disabled anglers	No toilets
Carpark	Car park access / location
Miners garden	Too few events and activities - does not encourage use
	Vandalism and fires
	Speeding traffic - bend at Hollygate Lane
	Adjacent industrial site is an eyesore

Activity Three - Producing a Wish Map

•  To ascertain local aspirations for the Country Park. i.e. produce a wish list of facilities, events and activities.

Another map based activity where people were asked to record the types of site use, facilities, events and

activities they would like to see at Cotgrave Country Park.

I have listed below all the comments received (those I could read). Please let me know if I have missed any.

Types of Site Usage / Management
Informal / quiet recreation
Angling	.
Management for wildlife / nature conservation
Friends of........... .group
	•
Practical conservation work
Access for All
Activities for Young People
Fitness training
Dog walking
Facilities .
Small picnic tables for children Additional benches / pie nic tables
Green sculptures for climbing on etc
Toddler trail
Nature trail
Skate board park
BMX Dirt track
Graffiti wall
Improved access points and parking
Toilets
Play equipment
Signage / notice boards / interpretation - including within Cotgrave village
Dog bins
Visitor / Education centre / wet weather base
Refurbishment ofNCB gate at rear of Mill Lane
PoopScoopers
Environmental art /' furniture
Health walk route
Sculpture - mining heritage theme
Refurbish Miners Garden / Community Garden
Sensory trail
Ranger -staff
View points /' indicators
Improved surfacing to some tracks
Cycle racks
Outdoor fitness trail
Events and activities
Family / children's activity days - especially in summer holidays
Conservation tasks
Guided walks / events
Summer playscheme
(Environmental) Arts workshops
Health walks
Jubilee tree planting
Environmental education

Cotgrave Country Park - Site Visit

A further site-based meeting was held on Wednesday 24 July. The purpose was to give people the chance to have a look around the site and discuss site-based issues and potential locations for some of the projects.

The meeting reinforced the need and relevance many of the proposals

e.g. dog bins, resolving access and car parking, signage

and considered locations for other projects e.g. skate park, toddler trail, wildlife areas.

Next Steps

So what do we do now we have such a comprehensive and imaginative list of ideas? Well the next step is:

Action Planning

• Agree initial priorities and time scale and develop an action plan.

This need to be done in a more structured way and will form the basis of the next meeting.

We should aim to:

consider all the suggestions listed above

discuss if all the ideas are appropriate

agree priorities and time scale and

identify who needs to be involved

identify what skills exist within the liaison group (local involvement and

support is crucial)

agree a structure and task oriented groups

identify potential partners and funders

Note:

The date for the next meeting has changed and will now be held on Wednesday 18^th September, 7.30 p.m. in the Leisure Centre bar.

I will send out an agenda nearer the time. If anyone wishes to propose an agenda item, please let me know.

Nic Wort

Nottinghamshire County Council - Environmental Department

1 - 3 Diamond Avenue

Kirkby in Ashfield

Notts

NG177GN

Tel: 01623 758231