Parks

December 2024

Happy Holidays from the LBH Parks team!

Don't forget to visit some of our wonderful nature trails this winter - Boston Manor Park, Donkey Wood, Dukes Meadows to name a few.

Reminder to wrap up warm when out and about and to report any issues using the online form - Parks, Allotments, Cemeteries and Open Spaces

Join in the first Friends of Lampton organised event in the New Year - 'Mindful Lampton'

A free walk and talk is being planned for Saturday 11 January between 2-3:30pm with LBH Parks team, new Friends of Lampton and other local community groups. Now is your chance to join the Lampton Friends group, voice your concerns and be the change you want to see in your local area.

Dukes Meadows Winter Improvements

The restoration works at Promenade Approach in Dukes Meadows are almost complete. In partnership between LBH and Dukes Meadows Trust, the main pedestrian and cyclist entrance to the site has been re-landscaped to improve access to the Thames Path for all visitors and to better frame the historic Pump House, which controls the sluice gates for the lakes at Chiswick House.

November 2024

Christmas Grotto at Bedfont Lakes is back!

There’s tons to do in your 1 hour slot including our wonderful winter trail, seeing our furry and feathery friends in the rescue centre, taking a walk through the enchanted forest, lots of messy fun and games in our cheeky elf workshop and most importantly visiting the big man himself!

Tickets are only £10 per child,grab them before they go!

Dates available 14th, 15th, 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd December.

1 hour time slots 10-11am, 11am-12pm, 1.30-2.30pm and 2.30-3.30pm

SEN session on the 21st December 10-11am

To book please email countryside@hounslow.gov.uk stating the date, time and name of your children.

October 2024

🐄 Moootiful news at Hounslow Heath! 🐄

6 lovely female Sussex cows arrived to carry out a 3 month grazing programme at Hounslow Heath today. They will likely be spending that time in our neutral meadows;trampling the grass shorter in some areas, pulling out grass with their tongues from the roots, which creates mixed vegetation heights and greater diversity of species; they also browse the encroaching scrub which isn't desirable in grasslands habitats. And they do all this with minimal disturbance to the anthills, AND saving us from having to cut and rake the entirety of the meadows to achieve the same outcome!

The neutral meadows contain numerous yellow meadow ant anthills, which are brilliant for increasing biodiversity due to their effect on the surrounding grassland, creating aerated soil patches, dispersing seeds, and also providing vital food sources for birds such as the green woodpecker. More information on those incredible engineers here: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/invertebrates/ants/yellow-meadow-ant

If you see these beauties at the Heath, please abide by the signage. Do not enter the fields, keeps dogs under control (preferably on a lead) as you go past, and do not feed them.

Do, however, send the Countryside team photos and messages. They do daily checks on all livestock but always appreciate assistance from our public!

Inwood Park Cycle Hub has reopened!

30 October marked the relaunch of the all ability cycle sessions as well as the improvements made to the surfacing of the track. Cycling sessions at Inwood occur every Saturday morning from 9:30am - 3:30pm, for more information visit All-Ability Cycling | Cycling in Hounslow | London Borough of Hounslow.

Dukes Meadows, Chiswick

Improvement works have commenced at Dukes Meadows, including clearance of the view of the river and repair works around the playground. Works on Promenade Approach will also be commencing from 28th October and running until the end of January.

September 2024

Lampton Park 'Bug'ingham Palace hotel in the woodland area!

Lampton Countryside team and Greener Living festival attendees worked together to create a natural bug hotel using sticks,bricks and old wooden palettes. By creating these spaces we are encouraging a range of minibeasts to pollinate our plants and offering a safe home for them to raise their young.

Hanworth Air Park Bug Hotel

A new bug hotel installed at Hanworth with the Steiner School and the Greenspace Business Development team, who also raked and planted some wildflowers in front of the installation.

Heston Park Tunnel play piece closed

Upon recent inspection, the timbers surrounding this tunnel have failed and need replacing. The pieces have been ordered and once delivered, installation will commence.

August 2024

New Cricket pitch installed at Feltham by Exclusive Leisure

Emanuel Hollow Improvement works - Eastern Landing at Dukes Meadows

Funding has been allocated to improve the area east of Barnes Bridge, next to the new footbridge. If you’d like to take part, please meet at the corner near to the footbridge at 6pm (What3Words: speaks.glove.name) on Wednesday 11 September. Please RSVP to martin.falder@hounslow.gov.uk in order to ensure there is enough space at the boathouse.

Summer Cutting Schedule

Greenspace parks and countryside cutting schedule is now available to view on the FAQ section of this Parks noticeboard.

July 2024

Volunteer in 6 of our parks!

Volunteering in Parks official launch took place 27 July at Feltham Park. The Countryside team are always on the lookout for new volunteers to come along and brush up on some green skills.

Love Parks Week 26 July to 4 August

Visit our parks this summer for some free and fun activities all across the borough.

PEVENSEY GETS A GREEN FLAG!

For the first time Pevensey Road Nature Reserve becomes a Green Flag site, thanks to the Lampton Countryside team,The Rangers and Volunteers that shape the site to be the best it can be, with their ongoing community support and passion.

June 2024

FELTHAM GREEN IMPROVEMENTS

Works have begun at Feltham Green, areas of the park is still accessible to visit.

NEW BUG HOTELS

Bug hotels are being created and installed by Lampton Services across Lampton Park, Pevensey and Hanworth Air Park. Bug hotels increase the natural balance of insects, attract pollinators and insects which control pests and provide sheltered habitats.

SATURDAY, 8 JUNE: OFFICIAL NORTHCOTE OPEN DAY

Northcote Nature Reserve in Isleworth has officially opened! A launch day on Saturday saw over 200 people attend this new space, which is open for all to visit.

May 2024

BEDFONT LAKES

Lampton Countryside team are trialling a new grass cutting style on the arenas this year. By cutting in grass paths and picnic circles this will support and increase biodiversity all whilst giving park users the chance to be sat in amongst nature with the longer grasses around them.

NEW WOOD CARVING AT CARVILLE HALL SOUTH

Dragon wood carving that doubles up as a bench has been installed at Carville Hall South by wood carver Nick Garnett. Designed by the students at Green Dragon Primary School.

NEW MURAL AT WATERMANS PARK

A new mural inspired by the riverside wildlife and colours of the wildflower meadows at Watermans has been painted by artist Henry Jiver to help deter graffiti.

April 2024

TUESDAY, 23 APRIL: PEVENSEY ROAD OPEN SPACE

New wood carving by Wild Wood Carving LTD installed today at Pevensey. Curated using oak and primed with danish seed oil, the piece of art combines four species found in Pevensey as well as having an integrated bug hotel.

WEDNESDAY, 10 APRIL: BEDFONT LAKES PLAYGROUND WORKS COMPLETE

Both Clockhouse Lane play area and the Bedfont Road play area at Bedfont Lakes have reopened today and are now open to the public, having had new play equipment installed.

WEDNESDAY,10 APRIL : AVENUE PARK PLAYGROUND AND OUTDOOR GYM OPEN

Both the playground and gym are open for use, there are a few gym pieces remaining to be installed when delivered by manufacturer. Look out for Wellness and Wildlife event coming up to promote the new gym on 18th May.

TUESDAY, 9 APRIL : GREEN DRAGON PLAYGROUND OPEN

Works are complete and temporary fencing has been removed. Green Dragon playground is open for use.

SATURDAY, 6 APRIL : BOSTON MANOR PARK PLAYGROUND OPEN

Boston Manor Park playground has reopened today and is open to the public, having had new play equipment including a zipline and sensory panels installed.

March 2024

MARCH: WHATS NEW IN BRENT LEA

Both basketball backboard and nets in Brent Lea have been replaced.

MARCH- APRIL: GREEN DRAGON PLAYGROUND WORKS

Works commenced on 4 March. Fences are now being painted, with new surfacing and new equipment set to be installed by early April.

MARCH-APRIL: BOSTON MANOR PARK PLAYGROUND WORKS

Works include new surfacing and replacing components, as well as adding new items in the play area.

The play areas will be closed from 4 March to keep everyone safe during the improvements, and will complete in April. The BMP team on-site will aim to keep the metal fitness equipment (on the ‘green’) and wooden gym equipment (next to the playground) open for use throughout the works.

MARCH-APRIL: ROBIN GROVE PLAYGROUND WORKS

The new design will deliver a canal-side fence line and a new boundary with the adjacent allotments.

The multi-use games area (MUGA) is mid-way through refurbishment, while the resurfacing commenced w/c 4 March. The new side panels plus corner pieces will be fitted w/c 11 March.

Soil works are unable to go ahead currently due to wet weather. Will commence once suitable.

MARCH-MAY: AVENUE PARK PLAYGROUND WORKS

Works are underway and this includes closing off the area of the new playground for safety.

Gym fencing has begun installation w/c 4 March and the works to install and resurface the gym will aim to start w/c 11 March. The improvements aim to be completed by May 2024, while the gym is scheduled to launch in summer 2024.

LAMPTON PARK COMMUNITY GARDEN

The materials for the fencing have been delivered and works are expected to be carried out on 8 March, weather permitting.

HIGH TIDE AT NORTHCOTE NATURE RESERVE

A beautiful and very high tide was spotted at the new Northcote Nature Reserve tidal inlet.

Site due to open to the public this June

🐄 COW MOOOO-VING BACK DAY AT HOUNSLOW HEATH 🐄

The cattle at Hounslow Heath departed on Thursday 14th March, returning to farmer John Whitby of Rowley Farm. It has been fantastic to have cattle back on site carrying out a winter grazing programme of both the Heather Pen and the neutral meadows, after their absence due to COVID the past few years.

beDFONT lakes country park Playground improvements

Some play equipment in both playgrounds ( Bedfont Road and Clockhouse Lane) are closed off, due to play improvements taking place. Works are still in progress, weather dependent with estimated finish end of March.

PEVENSEY ROAD OPEN SPACE

Accessible friendly picnic benches are being installed this week.

Wildflower meadow creation with Gurserva is set for 24 March, while bulb planting and lavender planting is yet to be confirmed.

February 2024

Avenue Park new playground and gym

Following summer 2023 engagement with local residents and feedback provided from several community consultations, Avenue Park will be receiving new additional play items to the play area and a new outdoor gym. Click here for more details

February-July 2024: Birds Nesting Season

Birds nesting season has arrived,keep an eye out on any new nests in trees as well as occupied bird boxes. Let us know what birds you have spotted over Spring by using the hashtag #HounslowParks on social media.

🐄 Moooo-ving day at Hounslow Heath 🐄

Successful cattle move today as the team herded and transported the six Sussex steers from the Hounslow Heath heather pen down to the neutral meadows.