Haringey parks and open spaces to start blooming

A co-production project to boost biodiversity while bringing vivid colour to open spaces in the borough has been launched.
 
Working alongside The Conservation Volunteers (TCV), Friends’ groups and local community, the council is transforming land in eight parks into mini meadows where wildflowers and wildlife can flourish.
 
A blend of native wildflowers will be planted to brighten up Hartington Park, Brunswick Park, Priory Park, Muswell Hill Playing Fields, Finsbury Park, Downhills Park, Ducketts Common and Woodside Park. 
 
These patches of colour will also attract more birds, butterflies, insects and other creatures to create cornerstones of inner-city biodiversity.
 
A series of seed sowing and education events are underway to encourage the community to get involved and learn more about the importance of wildflower meadows to the urban environment.
 
In 2024, the second phase of this two-year pilot initiative will see stretches of grass verges in the borough converted into a sea of colourful wildflowers.
 
Cllr Mike Hakata, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Environment and Transport, said:

With each passing year, the climate and biodiversity emergencies become increasingly urgent. 
 
By creating a network of wildflower meadows, we are taking direct action to protect and nurture biodiversity, as well as bring colour to our parks and open spaces.
 
It’s exciting to see so many people have already come together for our wildflower seeding events and I’d encourage the local community to get involved with a project that is pivotal in creating a greener and healthier future for our borough. 

If you’d like to get involved and help create a mini meadow, future sowing events are taking place at:
 
•    Brunswick Park - Saturday 25 March 2023, 12 to 1.30pm
 
•    Downhills Park - Sunday 26 March 2023, 12 to 1.30pm
 
•    Hartington Park - Saturday 1 April 2023, 1.30 to 3pm
 
•    Woodside Park - Monday 3 April 2023, 12 to 1.30pm – SOLD OUT
 
•    Ducketts Common - Tuesday 4 April 2023, 12 to 1.30pm 
 
Around 97% of the UK's meadows have been lost in less than a century. Since they are one of the most efficient sequesters of carbon, the restoration of them will have a positive impact on our pathway to a zero-carbon future.  They also become home and feeding grounds to dozens of species from pollinators to aphids, bugs and beetles, reviving biodiversity, especially important in urban areas.

In May 2023, we will be launching an online consultation for the public to get involved. This is an opportunity for local residents to highlight other areas in the borough where they would like to see more wildflower meadows and improvements for nature next year and in future.
 
To find out more and sign up for one of the wildflower seeding events, go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/haringey-meadows-project-1870029 or visit our webpage on the pilot meadows project: https://www.haringey.gov.uk/libraries-sport-and-leisure/parks-and-open-spaces/meadows-pilot-project