March 2015
News about a new activity starting in April:
Outdoor Dads Club Inspired by the Children and Nature Network we are proud to launch the UK’s first outdoor dads club in Handbridge, Chester. The Handbridge outdoor dads club will be from 10-11am on Easter Sunday at the playground in Edgar’s Field Park. The club will continue to meet at the same venue on the first Sunday of every month from 10-11am. There is no need to book in advance. Just turn up with your children to play at this fantastic playground and park and meet up with other Dads. More information can be found here. |
January 2015
NEW PROJECT
Improvements to the Weathervane Mound – Creation of a Lookout Area
1. Introduction
The Friends of Edgar’s Field Park would like to improve the Weathervane Mound in the park to create an accessible Lookout Area with easy panoramic views over the River Dee to include both the Grosvenor Bridge, the Old Dee Bridge as well as Chester Castle and the University Riverside Building.
Although the group has attempted to open up the Weathervane Mound area, it has always tended to be overgrown and not easily accessible. As a result it has tended to be prone to anti-social behaviour with drinking, drugs, graffiti and littering including with bottles, cans and drug-taking equipment.
This part of Edgar’s Field is covered with hawthorn and elderberry trees. While these are attractive, especially when in blossom in the spring, they are old trees that have been damaged by years of being overgrown by ivy making the branches long and straggly. There are many dead branches and the wood tends to be fragile leaving the trees subject to frequent wind damage. In addition, the trees are overcrowded and the grass in this area is not mown, which together with the nettles, brambles and other weeds adds to the overgrown and unkempt appearance that attracts anti-social behaviour. There are two self-sown sycamore trees. These are growing in thin soil on rock and becoming too large for the area with increased possibility of catastrophic failure.
It has become increasingly clear that the rocky edge of the Weathervane Mound that faces the river is dangerous particularly for children, for people that have been drinking alcohol and for litter collectors. The cliff edge cannot be easily seen because of the overgrown vegetation close to it and a false step could lead to a serious and potentially fatal fall. There is a clear hazard to any visitors trying to photograph or just get a view of the interesting and attractive sights on the other side of the river. In addition, there are several areas where it is too dangerous to attempt to collect long accumulated litter.
At present, the Weathervane Mound is a neglected and potentially hazardous part of Edgar’s Field. However, we believe that it could readily be developed as a lookout, becoming an interesting new feature for the park and an important asset both for local residents and visitors to this part of Chester, complementing the very successful new children’s play area that was opened in 2010.
2. Outline Scheme of Improvement
Clear many of the existing trees from the mound including both self-sown sycamores, all the elderberry trees and the oldest, most fragile or sickly hawthorn trees. Remove all the stumps.
Remove trees and bushes overhanging the edge. Make good any areas where the rock face is disintegrating or collapsing.
Install new timber railings about 1 metre from the dangerous edge.
Lay a new relatively informal access path to this area.
Install three new seats overlooking the river.
Make good the planted area outside the railings and add replacement hawthorn trees as required.
3. Precursors to the proposed development
Improvements to the Weathervane Mound – Creation of a Lookout Area
1. Introduction
The Friends of Edgar’s Field Park would like to improve the Weathervane Mound in the park to create an accessible Lookout Area with easy panoramic views over the River Dee to include both the Grosvenor Bridge, the Old Dee Bridge as well as Chester Castle and the University Riverside Building.
Although the group has attempted to open up the Weathervane Mound area, it has always tended to be overgrown and not easily accessible. As a result it has tended to be prone to anti-social behaviour with drinking, drugs, graffiti and littering including with bottles, cans and drug-taking equipment.
This part of Edgar’s Field is covered with hawthorn and elderberry trees. While these are attractive, especially when in blossom in the spring, they are old trees that have been damaged by years of being overgrown by ivy making the branches long and straggly. There are many dead branches and the wood tends to be fragile leaving the trees subject to frequent wind damage. In addition, the trees are overcrowded and the grass in this area is not mown, which together with the nettles, brambles and other weeds adds to the overgrown and unkempt appearance that attracts anti-social behaviour. There are two self-sown sycamore trees. These are growing in thin soil on rock and becoming too large for the area with increased possibility of catastrophic failure.
It has become increasingly clear that the rocky edge of the Weathervane Mound that faces the river is dangerous particularly for children, for people that have been drinking alcohol and for litter collectors. The cliff edge cannot be easily seen because of the overgrown vegetation close to it and a false step could lead to a serious and potentially fatal fall. There is a clear hazard to any visitors trying to photograph or just get a view of the interesting and attractive sights on the other side of the river. In addition, there are several areas where it is too dangerous to attempt to collect long accumulated litter.
At present, the Weathervane Mound is a neglected and potentially hazardous part of Edgar’s Field. However, we believe that it could readily be developed as a lookout, becoming an interesting new feature for the park and an important asset both for local residents and visitors to this part of Chester, complementing the very successful new children’s play area that was opened in 2010.
2. Outline Scheme of Improvement
Clear many of the existing trees from the mound including both self-sown sycamores, all the elderberry trees and the oldest, most fragile or sickly hawthorn trees. Remove all the stumps.
Remove trees and bushes overhanging the edge. Make good any areas where the rock face is disintegrating or collapsing.
Install new timber railings about 1 metre from the dangerous edge.
Lay a new relatively informal access path to this area.
Install three new seats overlooking the river.
Make good the planted area outside the railings and add replacement hawthorn trees as required.
3. Precursors to the proposed development
- Conduct an expert survey of the existing trees on the Weathervane Mound to assess their safety, longer term viability and suitability for their present location.
- Conduct a professional safety assessment of the area on the top of the mound in its current condition and make recommendations.
- Draw up a detailed specification and plan of the proposed improvements and make a detailed costing for the project.
- Seek necessary permissions.
- Find the funds needed to implement the whole scheme of improvement.
Photographs of the Weathervane Mound