Enhancing Biodiversity in our parks

In line with the council's Green Spaces Strategy, changes are being made to improve biodiversity across parks and open spaces. As part of this project, we are introducing a change in our mowing regime at six designated sites, including:

• Halls Road Recreation Ground
• Biddulph Valley Park
• Stanfield Crescent Recreation Ground
• Glebe Road / Brookhouse Way open space
• Brough Park
• Birchall Recreation Ground

Starting in March 2025, specific areas of land within each park will move to a once a year cut and collect mow, allowing for meadow grass and other native species to flourish. This approach is informed by scientific evidence, which suggests that carefully timed mowing and the collection of grass cuttings can create better conditions for a variety of plant species to thrive. This method reduces soil nutrient levels, which helps to suppress the dominance of fast-growing grasses, creating space for wildflowers and other native plant species to flourish. By increasing plant diversity, we hope to support a wide range of pollinators, birds, and other wildlife that rely on these habitats.  

How will the trial work?

The new mowing schedule will involve:  

• Areas of grass to be left unmown from March to create meadows.
• A cut and collect during a September-October window, with all grass cuttings to be collected and removed.  

Why are we making this change? 

Traditional frequent mowing often encourages the growth of nutrient-demanding grasses while limiting opportunities for other plant species to establish. By adopting this reduced mowing strategy, we aim to create richer, more diverse habitats that benefit the environment and local wildlife. The trial will also allow us to assess how effective this approach is in real-world conditions, ensuring it aligns with both scientific evidence and the needs of our community.  

What to expect

During the trial, visitors to the parks may notice areas with longer grass and greater plant variety. Framing strips or similar will be cut next to footpaths where these border with the areas of longer meadow grass. Cut-and-collect mowing typically takes 2-3 years to show noticeable improvements in wildflower growth. However, the exact timeline may vary depending on the soil, existing vegetation, and local conditions. Growth will be monitored throughout the year and adjustments may be needed to optimise results.

Changes at these six sites will act as a trial phase, with a view to expand the initiative across additional sites in the coming years. This is an important step in managing our green spaces sustainably, balancing ecological health with the need to maintain attractive, functional parks for everyone to enjoy. Nature is a vital resource for improving physical and mental health for the community and together, we can nurture our parks to benefit future generations while protecting our natural heritage.